Welcome to MollyWood!

A Drama Llama Visited my House

2011-01-30T22:54:00.004-05:00

Why isn't this easier? You love someone. You plan your life. They leave you. They meet someone else.

Shouldn't I just be able to move on? Shouldn't I just be able to just turn this off? What does it mean that I haven't?

While I feel like I am a little more angry, a little more bitter, and quite a bit more cynical about love and relationships, the one person I have longed for for the past 78 days, I continue to long for today.

And getting a phone call yesterday - one that I wasn't expecting or anticipating, doesn't help. It left me feeling a bit like I had been ambushed. So, I did what I'm not supposed to do....I initiated contact again.

And found out....they broke up. Because he got what he said he wanted....everything I wasn't....and she turned out to be crazy. And oddly, it doesn't make me happy (honestly, not even a little).

And we talked for about an hour. (I know, I know....forgive me, I'm human) I'm shocked at how comfortable it was. I'm shocked that I cried and I was angry. I'm shocked at what I took away from it.....but that's for a later post.

I write this for you, ever the optimist....the world will make sense again. I will get my happy ending....just not sure who with.

Hope you enjoyed your trip to MollyWood!

Building an X-Box...

2011-01-21T21:13:00.004-05:00

Or, more correctly, an ex-box. (I know! I LOVE IT! My B-F-F is a genius!)

Sunday night, wine, good music, cooking dinner, and the final clearing of the house of all things Neil.

We might burn sage.....more to come!

I can fix you up!

2011-01-20T12:30:00.002-05:00

Now that my last relationship has crashed and burned, I've noticed that EVERYONE I know has someone GREAT they want to fix me up with....which in my experience doesn't ever truly work..and ends up being awkward and uncomfortable.

So...I need your advice. What creative ways do you have to dodge the impending "set up??"

The Dirty Thirty-Two is OVER

2011-01-07T21:06:00.006-05:00

After reviewing the Dirty Thirty Two that I created in August, I'm scrapping it. I was completely in love and jobless when I wrote that list. Now I'm completely single (and more than a bit heart broken) and working full full time!

I have to tell you, after the bad dates (that turn into GREAT stories) and sad excuses for relationships (yes, read into that what you will), I was smug. Smug. Smug because I was FINALLY getting my turn. Finally getting what I had longed for, a partner, an equal, I was in love with my best friend. I was a better person for being with someone. I was in the sunshine. And glowing. And SMUG.

And now, I'm in the dark. I'm home, alone, for what really seems like the first Friday night in almost a year. What did I do on Friday nights before I was in a relationship? I think I spent nights a lot like this. Let's see....snuggle with super cute Schnauzer-mutt (CHECK), play on the internet (CHECK), watch crappy tv (CHECK), wallow in a little self-misery (CHECK).

A year ago I was in a great place. I was good with myself. I wasn't filled with self-doubt. I wasn't confused about what I wanted and who I was. I was ready, and I thought God has sent me what I asked for. Well, I guess the joke was on me. Maybe we don't all get what we ask for....just some of us do.

Yes, I know, it will get better. He wasn't the right person. I'm lucky this happened now. He'll be someone else's problem. Time heals all wounds! (That one is my personal fave this week)....or just insert your trite, post-breakup platitude here. Really, I've heard them all in the last few weeks. I get it...I'm not the first or last person to get their heart smashed into a thousand tiny pieces. But right now, I feel like I am.

So, for now, I'm out. I'm working on myself and getting myself back. You'll probably see me at the gym a lot. And I'll work really hard on being a lot less smug....promise!

Until then, I hope you enjoyed your visit to Mollywood!

Mean or Hilarous.....YOU DECIDE!

2010-12-04T18:38:00.005-05:00

Its gotten pretty cold in Jax this week, and Finnegan has been suffering through the weather change. He's a big fan of his sweater, but tonight, after he had a bath, I put him in footie - trap-door pajamas.

So, the question is - Mean or Hilarous?

Hope you enjoyed your trip to Mollywood...I'll catch you next time!

2010-11-08T13:48:00.003-05:00

Well...by personal request...here's the update you've been LONGING for (hehe!)

1. Get a job that I love and that pays me well. (CHECK!) Between accomplishing this one, continuing a relationship in two different cities, volunteer commitments...well....you'll read on. I LOVE what I'm doing and couldn't be happier. Now for just a bit of balance with the rest of my life.

2. Keep up with the blog (1 post each week) - Not doing so well with this one. If you have any tips on being better with this, send them my way. I think I just always want to give you a treat with something funny or insightful...and sometimes, there's NADA!

3. Attend Church Service at least once a month - going well!

4. Take a wine tasting class. - I took a beer-tasting class...I wonder if that counts!

5. Visit the Cummer Museum

6. Visit Dottie Beard in Annapolis - haven't done this one yet, but I did get to see her at Grandma's 80th birthday extravaganza. Maybe my next blog post should be how Dottie became an honorary member of our family.

7. Attend a Jacksonville Art Walk (planning on this one in December)

8. Pick a volunteer project and get started. (I’m leaning towards signing up as a mentor or volunteering at the Florida Theater, but that may change.)

9. Lose an unspecified amount of weight

10. Go to a Good Shepherd Chamber Music Society concert

11. See the sunrise from the beach - I tried one day....and I missed it, by about 15 minutes CRAP!

12. Clean up media on iPod

13. Get car back in garage

14. Go somewhere special for New Year’s Eve

15. Cook at least three meals at home each week. - this one is going pretty well....I should fill you in on what we're eating.

16. No more library fines – and only check out books - I have MISERABLE FAILED AT THIS ONE.

17. Visit Helen, Georgia during Octoberfest

18. Go to a Jacksonville Seminole Club event

19. Take a Photography Class

20. Plan Day-trip from Jax and Gainesville (Neil’s current home-base) to somewhere I haven’t been in at least 10 years.

21. Get Savannah art framed and hung (CHECK!) Actually I can claim no credit for this one - Neil had it beautifully framed for my birthday

22. Update the reading list – include authors with actual merit rather than reality television fixtures. This is going well. I'm currently reading Piper Kerman's Orange is the New Black, My Year in a Women's Prision. It's FASCINATING.

23. Take more pictures of myself and with Neil. (So far so good) See below

24. Go to the Planetarium - I may be getting this one checked off next month - stay tuned.

25. Find an obedience class for Finn.

26. Plan and take a road trip to Nashville - Because of some of the awesome air fare deals on Southwest, this one may have to be a flight this year....but I'll let you know!

27. Wash and clean out my car once a week - going well.

28. Go kayaking with Neil

29. Start a wine log

30. Go to the beach at least once each month (So far so good)

31. Go to Ikea in Orlando

32. Make homemade Mayonnaise and Pesto sauce

So there you have it. I think I need to focus a little more on this list if I want to accomplish it before the year is out.

Well, that worked out well.

2010-09-16T06:49:00.004-04:00

Yes, I am aware that the week after I posted that my goal was to post once a week, I left Mollywood for a month! But the truth is, I was working on the Dirty Thirty-two!

So, I think you deserve an update....

1. Get a job that I love and that pays me well. (CHECK!) Getting this one accomplished is why Mollywood has been so lonely! I started last Tuesday and now I have to get up and out in the morning and remember how to work in an office!

2. Keep up with the blog (1 post each week) - yeah, so this one has turned out to be a little harding in leiu of number 1 being accomplished. I get back in the groove though.

3. Attend Church Service at least once a month (So far so good)

4. Take a wine tasting class.

5. Visit the Cummer Museum

6. Visit Dottie Beard in Annapolis

7. Attend a Jacksonville Art Walk

8. Pick a volunteer project and get started. (I’m leaning towards signing up as a mentor or volunteering at the Florida Theater, but that may change.)

9. Lose an unspecified amount of weight

10. Go to a Good Shepherd Chamber Music Society concert

11. See the sunrise from the beach - I tried one day....and I missed it, by about 15 minutes CRAP!

12. Clean up media on iPod

13. Get car back in garage

14. Go somewhere special for New Year’s Eve

15. Cook at least three meals at home each week.

16. No more library fines – and only check out books

17. Visit Helen, Georgia during Octoberfest

18. Go to a Jacksonville Seminole Club event

19. Take a Photography Class

20. Plan Day-trip from Jax and Gainesville (Neil’s current home-base) to somewhere I haven’t been in at least 10 years.

21. Get Savannah art framed and hung (CHECK!) Actually I can claim no credit for this one - Neil had it beautifully framed for my birthday

22. Update the reading list – include authors with actual merit rather than reality television fixtures.

23. Take more pictures of myself and with Neil. (So far so good) See below

24. Go to the Planetarium

25. Find an obedience class for Finn.

26. Plan and take a road trip to Nashville (So far so good) Started talking to Mysch about this one fingers crossed!

27. Wash and clean out my car once a week

28. Go kayaking with Neil

29. Start a wine log

30. Go to the beach at least once each month (So far so good)

31. Go to Ikea in Orlando

32. Make homemade Mayonnaise and Pesto sauce

About three days after I originally posted the list - Neil took me to St. Augustine for the weekend to celebrate my birthday. That weekend really made me realize how lucky I am that I found him. We had an incredible time - he's so much fun! And I'm looking forward to all of the adventures we're going to have in the future (I KNOW HOW I SOUND - BEAR WITH ME!).

All these people around me have found this (or at least I hope that this is what they've found) and I always thought they were full of crap!

So, St. Auggie was awesome, though INCREDIBLY hot and humid (obviously, because I look melted in this photo).

Survivor

A quick PS - I accidentally caught the new season of Survivor last night - and Jimmy Johnson is on the island. Super Bowl winning coach, Jimmy Johnson. And its not celebrity Survivor, its regular people Survivor. HE'S AWESOME!

Thanks for stopping by Mollywood...I'll catch you soon!

Namaste

2010-08-18T14:30:00.003-04:00

Well...I may have joined the revolution 15 years too late, but I'm here.

I am starting Yoga. In a given day, I follow a variety of Blogs....well I won a contest from the fabulous Allison Winn Scotch http://www.allisonwinn.com/ during the launch of her most recent book. Hooray for internet contests where I win $25 to Amazon.com!

Well, I've also become a closet fan of Bethenny Frankel....I KNOW! So, I've been doing some research, checked out her first book from the Library and was curious about her exercise video, available exclusively through....you guessed it....Amazon.com.

Well, once I got my gift certificate, it was the first thing I purchased, and the bonus is it came with an optional video download....so I could enjoy right away before my DVD arrives. And. It. Kicked. My. Ass. Its mostly Yoga with a mix of basic weight training and some butt sculpting. And the best part? It was free (if it wasn't free, it was a paltry $12.99).

My goal is simple. I'm going to try to follow it every week day for the next week. Experts say if you really want to make a habit and make it stick, you should commit to 30 days. I know how short my attention span is. If I can commit to a week, and then another week, maybe I can be on a new path to enlightenment along with the Dalai Lamma.

Hopefully this is the start of a whole new me!

Thanks for stopping by Mollywood...I'll catch you soon!

Dirty - Thirty (two)

2010-08-17T11:24:00.005-04:00

My birthday is this week. And once again I am finding myself without a job for my birthday. But this time, I've decided to turn things on a positive ear. So, aside from my daily affirmations "I have a job that I love and that pays me well," which a dear dear friend tells me helps turn the universe in your favor, I've come up with a to-do list for this year.

Thirty-two things to do while I'm thirty-two. (I'd like to claim I came up with this on my own, but I stole it from my friend Erin and her blog A Girl and Her Mutt) So, here goes, big and small, we love them all and the project is going to be to attempt to accomplish them all - and I'll report back periodically on how its going.

1. Get a job that I love and that pays me well.
2. Keep up with the blog (1 post each week)
3. Attend Church Service at least once a month
4. Take a wine tasting class.
5. Visit the Cummer Museum
6. Visit Dottie Beard in Annapolis
7. Attend a Jacksonville Art Walk
8. Pick a volunteer project and get started. (I’m leaning towards signing up as a mentor or volunteering at the Florida Theater, but that may change.)
9. Lose an unspecified amount of weight
10. Go to a Good Shepherd Chamber Music Society concert
11. See the sunrise from the beach
12. Clean up media on iPod
13. Get car back in garage
14. Go somewhere special for New Year’s Eve
15. Cook at least three meals at home each week.
16. No more library fines – and only check out books
17. Visit Helen, Georgia during Octoberfest
18. Go to a Jacksonville Seminole Club event
19. Take a Photography Class
20. Plan Day-trip from Jax and Gainesville (Neil’s current home-base) to somewhere I haven’t been in at least 10 years.
21. Get Savannah art framed and hung
22. Update the reading list – include authors with actual merit rather than reality television fixtures.
23. Take more pictures of myself and with Neil.
24. Go to the Planetarium
25. Find an obedience class for Finn.
26. Plan and take a road trip to Nashville
27. Wash and clean out my car once a week
28. Go kayaking with Neil
29. Start a wine log
30. Go to the beach at least once each month
31. Go to Ikea in Orlando
32. Make homemade Mayonnaise and Pesto sauce

Wish me luck! I hope you enjoyed your visit to Mollywood! I'll catch you next time!

Stella & Dot - New Collection Highlights

2010-07-22T15:18:00.012-04:00

What's up people? Its an early Thursday edition of Mollywood! Just a few more highlights from the new collection before we have the Friday edition FULL of statement necklaces. If you know anything about me, you know, I'm ALL about the statement necklace!

Lady Bug Stud Earrings – E112G - $24.00
Its the hand-set pave ladybug studs from one of my favorite Stella & Dot motifs. You’ve seen it flitting on our bloom flower and around other pieces.

Sloane Enamel Bangle – 134I - $59.00
Hand-painted ivory enameled bangle is scalloped with our signature pattern and handset stones. Fabulous alone or layered. 2.5” inner diameter. Hinge closure.
Matching Hoop Earrings – E118I - $39.00

Jolie Cocktail Ring – R107M - $79.00
This eye-popping semi-precious stone ring is a virtual piece of pop art. LOVE IT! This is one of those pieces that will continue to make a statement with this beautiful array of blue, red, green and gold.

Maltese Brooch – Coral – BR107C - $44.00
Part of this year's La Coco concept. Faceted stones add splashes of color and dimension to this Maltese cross interpretation in a brooch. Pin it to a lapel, a fedora, or clip it to a La Coco chain. Available in coral or green. Watch the video below for styling ideas.

And last but not least......

Owl Charm Pendant Necklace – N137 - $44.00
Wise, wonderful, whimsical. Our vintage owl pendant on gold plated link chain is for the woman with a playful style. Approximately 18” length with 1” extender. Lobster clasp closure.

I have a feeling EVERY Chi Omega I know will want to add this to their collection.

Don't forget, you can order these pieces today! Visit www.stelladot.com/mollywood and click on "Find your hostess" in the upper right corner. I'm your hostess for the online summer pre-sale, so search for Molly and you'll enjoy discounted trunk show shipping prices rather than regular online prices.

Email me at molly.c.wahl@gmail.com if you have questions!

Thanks for stopping by Mollywood...hope you enjoyed your visit! I'll catch you soon!

Stella & Dot is Back for Fall!

2010-07-21T20:36:00.006-04:00

There's been a lot of things in my life that got put on hold the first part of this year. Mollywood was one of them, and I'm trying desperately to get my readers back! If you're back...I'm not shy about wanting the blog love!

The second thing that got put on hold was Stella & Dot. S&D started for me as something to help me get out and about while I was working from home and help add to my schedule and keep me busy. Making a little money and getting a bunch of free jewelry for me, was a BONUS! An excellent Bonus! And you know what I've discovered, I miss it!

I miss getting to share the FABULOUS jewelry with you. I miss getting to play with the jewelry and with you all....and I miss helping my hostesses earn FREE jewelry.

Coincidently, the new Fall/Winter 2010 Stella & Dot line launched this week (come on, you don't really believe in coincidences do you?) So, here's what. I'm going to post a preview of the new pieces (and some Summer Sale stuff too!) in the next few weeks. If you see something you like, I'm hosting an online trunk show until August 20th. Just visit www.stelladot.com/mollywood and look in the upper right corner, where you can choose your hostess (ME!). Also, ordering through a trunk show gets you show shipping (which is $5.95 flat) rather than the sliding scale for regular online orders!

The Jewels

Alright...this is now officially the longest blog post in America. Oh well...lots to share with you! We'll start with the Summer Sale. It seems that lots of pieces that I've been coveting over the last year are now available at a reduced price...lucky for you! Here's a few of my favs:

Della Triple Strand Necklace - N1002 - ON SALE $73.00

Oh, I've wanted this necklace for so long. Its one of those wardrobe staples that looks good with a black tie dress, a suit or jeans and a t-shirt (I've tried it on with all three, I promise!)

Kelly Cuff in Red - B811R - ON SALE $67.00

also in Black - B811 - ON SALE $67.00

(This should be a staple in everyone's wardrobe. It turns into a great statement piece and every time I wear it, someone mentions it!)

Palm Necklace with Starfish - N111S - ON SALE $73.00

(This necklace, and its sister the Boca Necklace with the Bee, N109G, are SO Lilly Pulitzer is not even funny. I'll be wearing this one with my Lilly Jellyfish dress!)

Audrey Cluster Bracelet - B122 - $69.00
This is from the new line, and I have a feeling its going to become a Holiday staple. It matches with so many things that its going to be hard to NOT own this one.

Remember, see anything you like, www.stelladot.com/mollywood - and I'm the party hostess.

Check out the Fall Line and the Summer Sale, you won't be disappointed when you do!

Next time we'll talk about the Girls line and the Foundation bracelets along with more highlights from the Fall line!

Hope you enjoyed your visit to Mollywood...I'll catch you next time!

Sadly Selling Dave Matthews Band Tickets

2010-07-14T08:58:00.013-04:00

You may or may not know, I'm obsessed.

I am obsessed with going to see Dave Matthews Band in a live show. I've been to something like 12-14 shows (I can't remember) and each one is different and better than the last.

Two years ago, my friend Tonya and I decided that we'd start combining the DMB summer tour with our vacation schedule. We pick a show that's somewhere we want to go on vacation and set off.

We've been to Charleston, SC; Atlanta, GA; Nashville, TN and were planning to go too Washington, DC this summer. And since the Band has announced they aren't touring next summer, this was an even more exciting trip for us.

Yup...those are the plans you make when you're working and have a job.

Now that I'm a job hunter, I don't have the resources to travel, and well....its not such a good idea.

I think I'll miss Dave dancing "Crazy Legs" most of all. If you've never been to a show before, you really don't know what you're missing.

My other favorite part of the shows? Boyd Tinsley ROCKING out on the violin. Seriously, I LOVE that there's a guy with a violin just wailing on a stage in front of between 20,000 and 50,000 people. Its absolutely incredible.

So, this summer's tickets are for sale! If you're interested, I'll FedEx them to you in time for the show....they're listed on StubHub for $170 a piece, but the special MollyWood price is $150 each (that's a $40 discount for being a MollyWood follower!)

Ticket Details:

The tickets are Section 204, Row J, Seats 5 & 6.

The Show is Friday, July 23rd at 7pm at the Washington Nationals Stadium.

Even better - the opener is the Zac Brown Band.

Shoot me an email if you're interested. molly.c.wahl@gmail.com

Hope you enjoyed your trip to MollyWood!

Do I Smell like Crazy?

2010-06-30T15:21:00.005-04:00

Well..its official...I'm using a travel deodorant because I was almost out and the stupid man at Target scanned my new deodorant and DIDN'T put it in the bag....grrr.

Which makes me wonder....do I smell like crazy?

I started thinking about the crazy people that I seem to attract and the stories they produce...here's a hint of some of the greatest hits.

Kitty Litter Necklace

So, in at least part of my career, part of my job has been to interview and hire new staff. If you've ever done this...you know how particularly entertaining this can be. If you haven't, I highly reccommend you try it at least once...it is a PARADE of people watching for your disposal.

On one such occasion, I had a young woman come in for an interview. As, we work in fundraising, I asked her about walking into a situation and how she networked. She was dressed professionally enough (you wouldn't believe some of the outfits I saw) and picked up her necklace from her neck and said, "I usually just use this necklace. This necklace is like kitty litter for old people....they're just attracted to it. So I would just go to meetings and gatherings and wear this necklace. The people will just come to me."

Needless to say, I continued interviewing additional candidates.

I'm not crazy....and I don't need this dress.

About six years ago, I lived in a one bedroom apartment (the last one I lived in by the way). It was on the third floor in a large complex, and in the spring and fall...it was really nice to sleep with the windows open and know that noone would be able to get in. At about 7 one morning, I heard a ruckus outside.

"Hey! Hey!" This continued at pretty regular intervals for about ten minutes.

So, I got up and walked to the window. Where I saw a woman, wearing shoes and walking, well, stumbling around the parking lot, completely naked. And yelling.

"Hey! Hey! I'm not crazy!"

Now, at this point, I need to interject. If you're truly not crazy, there's no need to broadcast it to people who aren't asking.

About 10 minutes later, the police department came and escorted home.

More crazy to come....this was just your first taste!

Hope you enjoyed your visit to Mollywood....catch you soon!

Keep the Big ones High and Dry!

2010-06-27T21:14:00.003-04:00

So, part of my focus this summer has been cleaning out the three closets and two dressers in my house the contain my clothes. I know, I know, but listen, I'm working on it!

Well, one of the things that I've discovered is that I am in desperate need of new bras. Well, lo and behold, Lane Bryant, perveyor of fine larger sized underpinnings was having a sale. What's that? A sale? And I found it....I don't know how I do it!

Every time I think about buying bras, I think of Bette singing about them in "Beaches." Enjoy.

An aside. I am not a size two. Its sometimes a challenge to find fashionable clothing that doesn't look like a mumu. Seriously, its easy to find larger brassieres, but they generally look like they are (1) made for your grandma and (2) they are white or beige. Maybe black, but that's a long shot.

So, I set off this afternoon. And grabbed a few that I liked, and headed to the dressing room. Where I made an incredible discovery. It has been a while since I've bought myself new bras.

With this knowledge in hand, I headed back to the floor to grab a variety of different sizes and headed back in. And then I came out again. I had a few good ones...but the sale was buy two get two free (that's about $70 or so in free bras!)! At this point the woman working there became suspicious. She approached...kind of like a zoo worker. She was in my peripheral vision for a few minutes, and she sort of skidded around, but then, she pounced:

Saleswoman: "Is there a certain size you're looking for?"

(now, at this point I was almost sitting on the floor to get to the rack on the bottom of the stand to try and find my size in the jungle of satin and lace.)

Me: "Nope, I'm just trying to find my size. Do you know if they would be anywhere else?"

Saleswoman: "Now, you've got a variety of sizes, are you sure you know what size you wear?"
And with that, she took the measuring tape, pink of course, that was hanging around her neck and lasso-ed me with it.
"You know, most women are wearing the wrong bra size."

Me: "You don't say? Now, can I have my breasts back?"

And this is when she felt me up, grabbed two bras of the rack, and sent me back to the dressing room. She then knocked on the door "Can I see how it looks?"

Now, I don't know about ya'll...I'm not all that modest, but I don't need a 50-something sales woman in my dressing room, feeling my bra to make sure it fits right.

Here's what I do know.....4 bras and 5 pairs of panties (thanks to the chick in line behind me who had an extra coupon....$74! I am a shopping rock star.

Until next time, I hope you enjoyed your visit to Mollywood!

A touch of Random-ness...

2010-06-25T15:34:00.007-04:00

Here's just a touch of the random-ness that is Mollywood!

(1) My house looks much like a tornado has come through my house. My entire house. I think being gone the last three weekends has done me in. Its slowly but surely coming back together, but a month worth of sloth takes a while to clean up.

(2) Have you ever tried to teach a dog how to do tricks? Seriously. We mastered "sit." It took a while. It took a long while. He'll now sit WITHOUT me having a cookie in my hand. I consider this a victory.

But then we added "down" to the repitoire. He's got that one down cold. Except he confuses "sit" and "down." I'll say "sit" and he'll lay down and look at me like I'm nuts. And sometimes, if there's a cookie involved, he'll just go straight to laying down, because he thinks that will get him the cookie faster.

Now we're adding in "shake" and the biggest problem there is, Finn doesn't like it when you touch his legs and feet. This is going to be interesting.

(3) My DVD player remote has gone AWOL. Now, I realize that this might have something to do with the MESS that is my house...but I spent the better part of this afternoon cleaning up this sty, and it is no where to be found. I'm afraid that the $20 DVD player is going to have to be replaced......HEAVENS!

(4) I just saw the first feature on ABC's The Bachelor Pad...so I checked out the show's web site....http://abc.go.com/shows/bachelor-pad?cid=showsitelinks_search. Now, most of you know I'm a HUGE fan of the Bachelor and the Bacheloretter. I've been watching since the first season and if you haven't yet checked it out....Lincee Ray's IHateGreenBeans.com blog is FABULOUS! This is going to be a train wreck of epic proportions.

(5) Since Neil and I are sitting on my couch, both of us laptops in laps (we are such a 21st century couple!) I think we should go work on the disconnected-ness. EEEWWWW...Dirty Mind! I meant we should go spend some quality time together!

Thanks for stopping by Mollywood...hope you enjoyed your stay!

Disconnected like a light socket...

2010-06-24T20:34:00.005-04:00

I'm feeling very disconnected.

So, what you may or may not know is Neil and I have been in a really good place, and we're moving forward.

I think what's exciting is that we were never that white hot fury that has faded. I think all along we've had an incredible relationship that's just gotten stronger over the past few months.

And then, he got a new job. And its exciting! And I'm so happy for him and proud of him. He deserves this job - its exactly what he wants to be doing and he's getting compensated appropriately.

But he had to move to Gainesville.

Now, it was bad enough that he lived on the almost opposite side of Jacksonville from me. Seriously, on a good day, it took 20 minutes to drive to his house....on a bad day FOR THE LOVE OF GOD...it took over an hour!

So then he moves to Gainesville. Now, I realize that as a Gator (I know, I know....WHAT am I thinking!?!?!) this for him is like me moving to Tallahassee. But, as a self-respecting, Seminole loving, Garnet and Gold bleeding woman, I have a hard time driving into HogTown on the weekends.

And while we're on the subject....this is where my disconnectedness is coming from.

I need more than two days a week. I'm so used to seeing him that I'm having a hard time, and this week, its starting to show.

I feel disconnected from him. I need your help. All my married folks....how do you do it? How do you manage to have a career, outside activites, family, friends, traveling, pets, etc. and still seem connected to your person? How are you keeping yourself connected when there's seemingly nothing much to talk about?

We're only a month in to this long distance (ha) thing, and I'm struggling this week.

I hope you enjoyed your visit to Mollywood...I'll catch you later!

Mollywood is changing tack....JIVE HO!

2010-06-11T07:17:00.005-04:00

So, its been a while since I've been inspired to write....Inspiration...FOUND!

Its been found in the form of a new friend....who I think is fabulous. You should check out her blog too...http://www.princessofrobinia.com!

So this blog isn't about her...but she's the catalyst for my new-found blogging. I realized out at drinks last night that she is just as busy as I am, and still has time to blog almost daily...and there's no reason I can't do it.

Some of this blog will stay the same...you'll still be getting the "Smart People of the Day" awards, a touch of Random-ness, and my other observations on life, but instead of my dating adventures...you'll get to read about the adventures of what happens after you find prince charming.

So that's what you've missed, I guess. Mollywood has fallen in love....I know, right!?! More on that to come in more blogs.

Back to the "Smart People of the Day." For this week....there's a few...but in only one category!

Jacksonville Drivers. Why am I the only person in this town that knows how to drive? I can't understand why following the posted and learned rules of the road is so complicated. It is NOT OK to make a right turn from the left lane, especially when I am driving IN the right lane. It is NOT OK to stop your car in the middle of the street for no apparent reason. It is NOT OK to drive 60 miles per hour down a residential street with a posted speed limit of 30.

Hope you've enjoyed your visit to Mollywood...I'll catch you next time!

Airport Agrivations and other Tales from the Trip....and More Smart People Awards

2009-10-21T08:45:00.003-04:00

SO, I'm flying to Atlanta for work for the next five days. No problem. I started packing EARLY and I was ready to leave the house EARLY. For those of you that know me, this is big.

Smart people of the Day Awards
Now, understand, I'm not knocking people who chose to have children or chose to fly with them. My problem is the people that are not prepared. Just a sampling of conversations from the crew in front of me going through security: "Oh, what's that? I have to take my shoes off? And my child too?" "Oh, you mean I have to take liquids out of my bag?" "What do you mean you're confiscating my hairspray?" "I have to take off my earrings?" Seriously people? This flying thing is not that complex.

Maybe I'm just cranky from being out so late on my date. Hold on there, Tiger. Did she say date?

Yup. I had a very successful date with a very nice person. Actually, that's the confusing part. I usually only date assholes....I'm not sure what to do with a nice guy.

Oh, well....we're going out again when I get back from ATL....I promise there will be more dish.

Until then....Thanks for stopping by Mollywood!

Well, well, well

2009-09-16T12:53:00.003-04:00

So, I realize its been FOREVER since I've posted anything. Well, sue me. I got a job and subsequently moved and got a life again. So, the blog fell by the wayside.

Well, I'M BACK BABY!

In addition to commenting on life, I'm also going to be updating you on my new business. I am now a Stella & Dot stylist. I'll be using this site to post party details, sales and style tips.

But don't worry, the sass isn't going away!

Stay Tuned!

Ooops...

2009-01-11T10:38:00.005-05:00

So, I think my parents' house is like a black hole. When you get there, you lose all connection with the outside world. I blogged right before Christmas with the full intention of blogging while I was home, at least once, and its been like 20 days. I have no idea how that happened.

Well....the two major things that have happened while I was in the Black Hole.

(1) Christmas. Fairly uneventful, but a good time was had by all. Mom, Dad and I went to Universal one night and got to see Blue Man Group - AMAZING!

The bigger news from Christmas is....
I'm going to FRANCE!!!! Paris to be more accurate. But Mom and I asked, hinted and just about begged, AND. We're going to Paris for a week this summer!

The SECOND piece of news is....

I adopted a DOG! His name is FINNEGAN and he's a Glen of Imaal Terrier and Yorkshire Terrier. (He's a mutt, but this sounds better!)

More to come on both fronts!

That's all from MollyWood - catch ya later!

Today was a Cluster Fuck

2008-12-20T19:12:00.002-05:00

So, today was a mess!

First, I had some crazy dream - I'm not sure what it was about, but I woke up knowing that it was some insane dream and I didn't sleep well.

Second, I had to run some errands - and I decided to get my hair trimmed. I have asked around and gotten the same reccommendation from a few people. I'm really picky about my hair, I've had the same stylist in Tallahassee for over 2 years and I LOVE HER - and I will now make sure that I have an appointment when I'm going for work.

So, I went in, and they took me back to shampoo me. Then the stylist came out. And the more I looked at her, the more I thought - she looks like Bon Jovi. Jon Bon Jovi. Circa 1987. Not just folically. Her makeup, her clothes AND her hair! And she looked like Jon in the face - oh how I wish I had the balls to pull out my digital camera and take a photo of her to show you all, so you could judge for yourself.

When I asked her to adjust one thing, she got REALLY pissed and then told me she wasn't one of those stylists who gets mad about suggestions, she's been doing this for 30 years!

So then, I got home and decided to use the spray sunless tanner that I bought - I am looking more and more like Casper's little sister. I've used this before, but never with this result. The overspray went ALL over the bathroom and the entire bathroom had to be cleaned.

Fine.

So I took my new bathmat, super cute! I followed the care instructions and washed it. When I pulled it out of the washer, there were LARGE chunks of yarn missing. So now, I have to take it back to Target and figure out what else I'm going to get, since I CLEARLY am not getting another one.

The hair is better. I washed it and blew it dry - its not so bad....so we'll see.

Hope you enjoyed your visit to MollyWood....catch ya later!

I am not Alone!

2008-12-12T14:52:00.006-05:00

Now, I may be alone in some of my beliefs ("yeah, alone in my principles would be a great song!), but my hatred for Ashley Simpson Wentz (seriously) is aparently not one of them. I was reading Mamarazzi today and this shit cracked me up! I think it will you too!

"December 10, 2008
Bad Tidings We Bring
Star magazine believes it has
solved the mystery of why Ashlee Simpson and Peter Wentz gave
their son such a crappy name. It seems that it's not accidental that "Bronx"
ends in "x" just like the Jolie-Pitt boys' names: Maddox, Pax, and Knox. Simpson
and Wentz tried to ape a baby name like their Hollywood heros in an attempt to
be more like Jolie and Pitt.

Dear Ashlee,
We hate to break it to you, but no matter what you say,
wear, or do, this:

will never,
ever turn into this:

Yours in the face of harsh reality,
Mamarazzi"

Seriously - made me laugh so hard I almost peed! Just wanted to lighted your day!

Much love!

Hope you enjoyed your visit to MollyWood - catch you later!

Its GOOOD!

2008-12-10T17:34:00.003-05:00

So, I had a pretty good day! Actually, I had a great day.

First, all of the walking I've been doing is starting to pay off - I ran four stretches of my route, small interval bursts, but I didn't feel like I was going to die, which in my opinion, is a step in the right direction. I'm telling you, the skinny jeans will be on by March!

Second, I actually got some work done. I would have gotten a LOT more done had someone actually delivered what they promised, but surprise surprise, he can't get me a FREAKING DATE! (Sorry, there's a little frustration working with someone who promises to get things and misses his self-imposed deadlines REPEATEDLY!)

Third, the Mom called to relate a funny story which ended with her rolling down the car window and yelling "YOU are RUDE!" at someone. Aparently, I am rubbing off on her, and I like it!

So then, she and I are talking, and for some reason, I decide to walk outside the front door. And there are THREE packages for ME! One is a box from my best friend Amanda (oooh, presents!) The second is a gift bag with fresh baked bread and information from the church I went and checked out on Sunday (yes, I see the irony!) And third was the biggest SEPHORA box I've ever seen! HUGE. And inside, gift wrapped was a present from my other best friend in Nashville. We've been friends since we were freshmen in college, and she knows more about me than probably anyone else on the planet - and I love her dearly.

Just thought I'd share some randomness from my pretty good day. Tomorrow could top it if I beat Kathryn at WordTwist - I'm telling you, its going to happen!

Hope you enjoyed your visit to MollyWood! Catch you tomorrow!

Something else Cool!

2008-12-03T17:03:00.002-05:00

So, you know I adopted a Soldier through SoldiersAngels.com - well I got the longest email in history from my "mentor" about what to send and what not to send. This is something REALLY cool that I did not know.

The post office has a box, its an APO FPO box that you can get FREE, fill it and pack it full, and its always $10.95 to ship. And I got one, the other day - I didn't realize they were free. Well then, today I find out, you can order them from the post office web site, www.usps.com (one of MollyWood's favorite's by the way!) and the customs forms that you also need - don't forget the custom's declarations form, and they will deliver a pack of 10 or 25 to your house! NEAT-O!

Also, MollyWood has a date on Sunday!!!! I'll let you know how it goes, or maybe I won't! :-)

Hope you enjoyed your visit to MollyWood - I'll catch you later!

Why Why Why???

2008-11-30T21:28:00.003-05:00

So, we all know that my dating life has been almost non-existent since February! I think its the longest I've gone without dating ANYONE since I've been dating, but whatever. From July on, I wasn't in any shape to be with my friends, let alone date someone and not send them running.

So, I'm kind of ready and trying online dating again, we'll see how it goes. It always reinforces to me how superficial people are, but that's their choice!

The why, why, why question is two fold.

FIRST - Saturday night after the horrible football game, Mom and I left Dad at the hotel (he was cold - poor baby!) and went to 2Chez for a quick drink, and to get a small something to eat. I walked up to the bar, cause there's no way that they'd just have someone wait on us. And this man, about my mom's age, walks up next to me and says "that was one hell of a sad game" and he's leaning toward me, touching my arm. I order an Appletini, and the bartender is making it, and throws a cherry in the glass. And I say, "I don't need a cherry." Now I DO actually realize how dirty this statement is - to someone I'm flirting with! It is not, however, dirty to the bartender throwing an unwanted cherry in my drink. And the dirty old man says "Really? That sounds like a challenge."

I looked at him, rolled my eyes and said "go away."' He laughed and walked over to start talking to my MOM!

The second piece of Why is WHY am I suddenly Good Luck Chuck? Why is it that when I date someone, the very next person they date, after me, they end up marrying???? This has now happend FOUR times! Four! Times! I'm not making this up. Its rediculous! I'm starting to get a complex - maybe I should offer out my services. Maybe it would get me more dates!

Hope you enjoyed your trip to MollyWood! I'll catch you tomorrow!

Kinda Cool

2008-11-25T08:46:00.002-05:00

I did something kinda cool today! I applied to adopt a soldier through SoldiersAngles.com. I have a good life - even though this has been a rough year for me. I read about this in Real Simple and its something that I can do. You make a six to twelve month commitment to send a letter once a week and one to two care packages a month to an assigned soldier. It just seems like a cool project, and I have a feeling that if I'm approved, that my family will probably get involved as well.

So, fingers crossed that I get approved, and more fingers crossed that if I do, that I get someone cool.

On another note - I had an interesting night at home last night. I am so excited that I'm in a house and not living with a shared wall next to the white trash neighbors. I'm also REALLY excited that I can play music as loud as I want, sing along and dance around the house and NO ONE will ever know!

Have a great week. Eat lots of turkey!

MollyWood loves you!

I think we're all being Punk'd

2008-11-24T08:13:00.001-05:00

Seriously, America, I think we're being Punk'd....and I'm ranting about it!

As far as Celebrity Baby names goes, Ashley I'll never be as hot as my sister Simpson has a DOOZIE.

Bronx Mowgli Wentz

Mowgli, as in the kid from the Jungle Book. As in, raised by WOLVES in the Jungle Book. As in BEAR NECESSITIES Jungle Book.

I've got a few others that make me crazy, though I think Jason Lee naming his son Pilot Inspektor is HILARIOUS!

Zuma Nesta Rock Rossdale (Gwen & Gavin)
Pilot Inspektor Lee (Jason Lee)
Speck Wildhorse Mellencamp (John Mellencamp)
Moxie CrimeFighter Jillette (Penn Jillette).

Hope you're having a great week - I'll catch you later!

MollyWood goes to Washington

2008-11-19T11:36:00.003-05:00

I love my new job. Today I'm in DC meeting with members of Congress (COOL) and tonight I'm taking a train to NYC (COOL!).

I was up at 5am, and the only time I'm a fan of 5am, is when I'm asleep and don't actually see it. I was showered and out of the house by 6am and I had landed in DC by 9:30 - and let me just tell you about the shock to my Florida living system when I walked out onto the Metro platform at Reagan to wait for the train and it was 22 degrees out - TWENTY TWO DEGREES!

So, I'm meeting our National CEO and some other people for lunch at a restaurant in Union Station - the best part of that is that silling and waiting in Union Square is a Smart-Ass's dream come true.

First, there's the homeless man, talking to himself about which Boradway show he wants to go see and WHY. "She can barely carry a note, how's she supposed to carry an act?" Then there's the girl behind me who has busied herself for about an hour filling out the FORTY postcards she's spread all over the bench. Next, the guy on his cell, so loud they can hear him in space, who required me to find my secret oxygen mask to protect me from his cologne.

And the best. I'm quietly reading and I hear, "Its not a weapon by itself, its only a weapon when its used by him, with you. And you're both terrorists." If this woman comes back by, I'll make sure I give you her other quotes. That one at least got a laugh from one of my waiting neighbors, who made eye contact and giggled.

There's more I'm sure, but this stupid public internet already lost my better post.

I'll give you more when I have it!

MollyWood loves ya!

Smart People of the Day Awards!

2008-11-11T13:31:00.002-05:00

Ok, usually, my snarkiness gets the best of me from dealing with the majority of the population. As I have decided that I am more intelligent than roughly 90% of the people out there, I get a little self righteous. But just because I'm sassy, that doesn't mean that I can't be self depricating too.

So, the smart person of the day award goes to ME!

And now, I'm going to tell you why...

I had to run an errand. Not a big deal, I needed to drop off a deposit at the Navy Credit Union. No biggie, I thought, I know they're closed today because its Veteran's Day (BTW - THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU'VE DONE!) but I'll put it in the Night Drop. So, the branch I went to HAD NO NIGHT DROP - WTF?????

So, I stopped in the parking lot, turned off my car and looked up in my trusty Crackberry where another branch was. I found it, turned the key and NOTHING. No crank, no sputter, NOTHING. So, I went to take the key out of the ignition to try again, and they key wouldn't come out.

My head was racing: Ok, don't panic. The car won't start. Don't panic. Who do you call in Jacksonville if you're car won't start. Don't Panic. Do I just call a dealership? Don't Panic! How am I going to get there? Walk? I don't know where anything is! DON'T Panic! Oh crap, oh crap, oh crap! DON'T PANIC!!!!

So, I got out my AAA card, and looked up Chrysler dealers in Jacksonville, and called the one closest to me. I asked for the Service Department, got connected and proceeded to information-puke to a VERY nice man named Dave. Unlike most car service people I have talked with in my life, Dave was VERY nice and didn't talk down to me or belittle me. He asked what it did when I turned the key, I said NOTHING! It doesn't do ANYTHING! And the key won't come out of the ignition!

He thought for a second, and said, "Ok, lets take this one step at a time. Is it in Park?"

Yes, Ladies and Gentlemen, I freaked out and called the dealership becuase the CAR WAS OFF AND IN DRIVE.

Thanks for visiting MollyWood....I'll catch you tomorrow!

Weekend Update

2008-11-10T21:39:00.004-05:00

I took this with my cell phone at about noon on Saturday. It was about 70 degrees, sunny, breezy and not a cloud in the sky, and I was going to watch the Noles whomp up on Clemson. Really, it doesn't get more perfect!

Hope you enjoyed your trip to MollyWood - I'll catch you later!

Here we go a Waltzing...

2008-11-09T22:53:00.000-05:00

So, I’m back in Tally for the weekend – GO NOLES! I met my parents at the hotel (props to Poppa Pete for letting me crash with them!) Once we all got into town, we went to Chili’s for dinner. Fab idea by the way to take a man who can’t hear and refuses to wear a hearing aid to a restaurant with tile floors, wood walls and hard surfaces to a place that serves 2-for-1 all day, every day. It was by far the loudest I’ve ever heard it!

So, while we’re at Chili’s I run to the restroom, and find it chock full of FSU’s finest sorority girls. All wearing adorable LBDs and putting on red feather boas. Not the most unique part, as most of us that have pledged loyalty to some secret society have at least one feather boa story in our arsenal. What got me, these girls were obviously going waltzing, and they were organized.
Point of reference here, in Tallahassee, when you turn 21, you do your Tennessee Waltz, as all of the bars in town (well most of them anyway) are on Tennessee Street.
And when I say organized, I mean they had made buttons – big ones that said something like “We’re getting Black Jacked for Holly’s Waltz”.

So, I go back to the table and tell my folks about it, cause 9 years ago, you know I did it. And soon, we see the whole gaggle of them leaving Chili’s, with some boys in tow, and the birthday girls’ MOM trailing behind them. Now, I don’t know about you, but the celebration for my 21st birthday was absolutely no place for my parents. They knew I did it, but they didn’t want details, and that was fine by me. We don’t need to fondly discuss how I threw up outside of one bar and then went into another for more drinks, really, it should all stay a reverently kept secret.

When we were done with our meal, we walk out of Chili’s to find a party bus and Mom is getting off, waiving saying “Have fun girls, be safe” and that sort of mom-type shit. Seriously?? Who’s Mom goes with them to start their 21st birthday partying?

Welcome to the DollHouse!

2008-11-06T18:25:00.002-05:00

HOLY CRAP!!!

I just saw the preview for Joss Whedon's new show, starring Eliza Dushku, and I want it NOW!!! I was a complete Buffy freak, and I'm totally a fan of Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog, but this looks INSANE!

Loving Digital Cable
Ok, so aparently there's a channel that shows TWO, count them TWO episodes of the original Beverly Hills 90210 at 5 and 6 at night - SO COOL!

I'm sure there's more...just can't think of it right now.

Hope you enjoyed your visit to MollyWood! I'll catch you later!

....to the East Side

2008-11-06T07:44:00.005-05:00

So, I keep getting calls and emails for pictures of the new house. All I can tell you, its SO much better in person than it is in pictures. We (Mom and I) have been working so hard, since Saturday - there were 34 boxes that got loaded on the truck, there are 4 left, and those are all in the guest room until I can find some kind of strorage unit to hold clothes and shoes.

Aren't those steps pretty? Installed them myself! Caused a huge argument with Dad. Has this happened to anyone else? My parents used to know everything, and I depended on them for lots of information. Now, my Dad insists that he knows EVERYTHING and argues to that fact. His big thing is that he corrects my mom about everything. She says my new neighbors are "about my age" he says, "No, they're WAY OLDER."

Nothing really outstandingly funny to report yet. I'm getting set up for more trainings and it looks like I'm going to be traveling a lot in the next few weeks, NYC and DC!

Hope you enjoyed your trip to MollyWood!

Moving on Up.....

2008-11-03T11:19:00.003-05:00

Just a quick post. I'm in Jacksonville, I'm in the house, there's about 10-ish boxes left, and I have cable and internet!!! (And I've already been to Target twice and returned 4 items - one got returned on the first visit from a Tallahassee purchase.) All will be explained when I get a chance to write a full post. Some of this move has been a comedy of errors...some has been a lot of giggles. But what I can tell you, is that my parents met me here on Saturday and left Sunday night and no one yelled and no one got hurt - just very sore.

You can Run, You can Hide...

2008-10-23T08:03:00.003-04:00

While I was driving yesterday, and singing along with the random crap that was on the radio, a song started playing that I loved when it was popular. I mean, I would listen to it over and over. Its got a really catchy beat, but its got some odd lyrics - odd like, I think its kind of funny that millions of people are singing along to this.

The song? Escape by Enrique Iglesias. (Remember when Mtv showed videos? This was the one with Enrique and Anna Kournakova making out on the public bathroom counter)

Here's what I think is odd - lyrics "You can run, you can hide but you can't escape my love." With a catchy tune, it makes you bop in your car. Coming from a man parked outside your house, it makes him a stalker.

So, I started thinking about other songs that are surprisingly odd. What can you come up with?

MollyWood loves ya!

Driving the Bus

2008-10-16T18:18:00.006-04:00

So, I know I've said it before...but my snarky nature assures me that I will not only be on my way to Hell becuase of my comments, but that I will be driving the bus to get there.....

Today I decided that if I am the person driving the bus....it should at least be some cool, tricked out bus. Well...a little googling teaches me that these busses are actually called Chicken Busses and they look like this!

MollyWood loves ya! Catch ya later!

Nope...I Didn't Make it Up

2008-10-16T15:38:00.005-04:00

So, I've written before about my fabulous white-trash neighbors. Well, today's episode takes the cake. But, I guess I should fill you in on their activities the past few weeks.

So, about a week ago, I was cooking dinner. Not an unusual occurrance. I was in my kitchen when I heard crying. Well, not really crying, but sobbing. Coming from a child somewhere outside of my house. So, being a responsible adult (be impressed, please) I went outside to investigate. And my neighbor's kid (hers, not his) was sitting in the grass, crying.

Me: "What's wrong?"

Mom (storming out of the house): "He's FINE. He's just upset that his toy is missing"

Me: "Ok, well, I just heard crying and wanted to make sure everyone was ok."

So, the next day, I was heading out of the house to go meet some friends, when my doorbell rang, twice. Seriously?? Who rings a doorbell twice within a one minute period? I open the door and Parrish is standing there.

Parrish: "Hey, I just wanted to come over and apologize."

Me: "Apologize? For what?"

Parrish: "Well, I heard about what happened yesterday."

Me: "What happened yesterday?"

Parrish: "Well, what you should know about Sally-Ann (I think that's what we're calling her since I still don't know what her name is...which apparently, is now insignificant. KEEP READING!) is that she's bi-polar and she's been off her meds for a while. So I'm sorry about the yelling and about her getting so upset with you yesterday."

Me: "Yesterday wasn't a big deal. I didn't mean to butt-in, but I heard someone crying and I wanted to make sure everyone was ok. I would expect that if I had kids, one of my neighbors would do the same for me."

Parrish went on to tell me that she apparently went off to him about me butting in and being nosy and trying to imply she was a bad mother. SERIOUSLY?? I don't even have that good of an imagination.

So whatever, fast forward to today. My friend Tonya and I went to lunch. When we got home, Sally-Ann was throwing shit in her car. And ANGRY about it. With a vengance almost. So, as I get out of the car, I say "Hey are you leaving?"

And then, she utters the line that every woman has said more than once, "oh yeah, I'm fucking DONE."

Me: "Oh! Are you ok?"

Sally-Ann: "I keep saying I'm going to do this, and now I'm done. He hasn't been home in days. He must be on drugs. He's been to four different hotels and has wiped three grand out of our checking account. He must be on drugs. Do me a favor, if you hear a ruckus, call the police."

Me: "Um, ok."

Sally-Ann: "No, seriously. He's on parole (wtf????) and shouldn't be doing drugs. This is such bullshit. I'm just DONE."

So, um, ok. Aparently, my new neighbor is a felon or something. And he's on PAROLE. What's up with that? I know Bob (my landlord) doesn't do background checks, but come on. UPDATE: here's the LIST of things he's been convicted of...its a long list!

I'm so glad I'm moving in 16 days!

MollyWood loves ya...catch you later!

Packing Sucks

2008-10-16T09:21:00.003-04:00

So, the countdown is ON...I am moving in 16 days. I am trying to pack sensibly, packing the items that I don't currently need and won't need for the next two weeks. That's mostly decor, but not the closet or kitchen. I am also trying to get packed, so that the movers won't take my first born child for payment. When I moved to Tallahassee three years ago, it cost $975 to move my 2 bedroom apartment here. The quote I got yesterday was for $1,856. Um, yeah, you read that correctly. That would be almost DOUBLE what I paid three years ago.

And, to all the moving companies, here's a news flash. Gas right now is the lowest its been in almost a year. I mean, there is gas for sale around the corner from my house (like I could WALK there) for $2.99 a gallon. So, in my humble opinion, there shouldn't be a gas surcharge....but that's just me.

I'm starting to get a little nervous about this job....mostly becuase I've never done anything like this where there isn't an office that I can go to every day and have people to talk to. I'm worried that my television will suck me into the couch, much like it did most of the day yesterday while I was "packing."

So now, I'm going to run over to Publix to see if they held any boxes for me, so I can pack some of the breakable stuff in some smaller boxes. Also, I have to find a shredding service....I have a stack of stuff with personal information on it that's got to be destroyed.

Hope you enjoyed your trip to MollyWood...I'll try to catch you tomorrow!

What if?

2008-10-12T14:45:00.004-04:00

Well...I had this fantastic (and funny) post about the yard sale I had yesterday and the variance of the random folks that showed up to purchase my unwanted stuff. And for the record 50 cents is not too much to charge for an adorable Ann Taylor T-Shirt that has been worn less than 20 times. I promise you that I paid much more than that for it and 50 cents is a good deal.

Instead, I'm going to write about what if. It seems pretty appropriate that as my life (and home) are in transition right now, that I would be thinking about what would have happened if I hadn't made such a dramatic change three years ago. I could have stayed in the relationship I was in. I could have kept going in the job I was in, I would have been promoted eventually, but I don't know if I would have learned as much. There are some great movies that explore the "what if" idea, Sliding Doors is by far my favorite. But I finished Allison Winn Scotch's new book, Time of My Life, litterally in one day. I started it yesterday as something to read while I was between yard sale customers, but its a GREAT book. I kept reading, until 2am when I apparently passed out with the lights on, and then continued this morning until I was done.

Its much more than chick-lit (which by the way, I hate the name of. What are we? Baby chickens who need a special kind of literature to enjoy? Why isn't there a category called dick-lit for books written specifically for a male audience? Oh, does that offend you? I'm sorry - but let's just call it what it is.) Its a great read that speaks to how women are expected to change who they are at the expense of figuring out who that person really is. Its also a great idea that people who are meant to be in your life will find their way there one way or another. For the most part, our paths are interlinked and we only have control over parts of that. Its kind of comforting. I enjoyed this becuase unlike others in the genre that it will inevitably get linked with, it really made me think...about the decisions I've made, about my part in all of it, about what I'm really afraid of, and about my path toward finding someone to be with. Overall, I'd say its excellent and I highlly reccommend it.

On another note, I have a feeling that once I get moved, I will probably try out online dating one last time. I know I've said it before, but I might give it one more shot. Who knows.

Hope you enjoyed your trip to MollyWood....I'll try to catch you tomorrow!

Random Life stuff

2008-10-09T13:21:00.002-04:00

So, I realized today driving to the library from a lunch date (more about that in a minute, but it was not a "date" with a man) I realized that I haven't posted much lately. Things are moving forward extremely fast, and I'm having a yard sale on Saturday morning....to try to sell all of that crap I was going to donate to the JLT Whale of a Sale (I'm sorry, its not crap, its gently used items). So here's a rundown of what I know.

Lunch Date
One of my former volunteers, Margaret, called me on Monday to see if I wanted to have lunch. She learned that I had gotten hired and would be moving to Jax and wanted to go to lunch. So we went to one of my favorite restuarants in Tallahasssee - seriously, if you haven't been to Bella Bella, what are you waiting for? When you go, just order the Bubble Bread - you won't be dissappointed. We had a great lunch for an hour and a half today, and she gave me a good ego pump.

Love for the Library
I'm not sure if I posted this earlier or not, but I can't say enough about the fantastic services offered by the library. Did you know that you can go online to the Library's web site, search for and reserve books? Did you know that once you reserve/request the books, the library staff will pull the book for you and hold it at the circulation desk, at the library branch of your choice, and send you an email that its waiting for you? Did you know that the library will send you an email to remind you three days before your books are due and you can renew your books ONLINE? Did you know that these services are completely FREE? Cool huh? I have always loved the library, and I love the smell of old books, and I had forgotten what a great place it can be. Though the branch in Tallahassee (downtown) is always very loud!

Props for the Book
I've really gotten into reading others' blogs on a somewhat regular basis. Well, while reading Ask Allison one day, I discovered that she was finishing her second book and she was having a contest. Well I was one of the winners of said contest and I won a copy of her book. Sadly, I had just checked out Chasing Harry Winston, so I haven't read it yet, but I told Allison that I would put in a plug this week for her newly released book Time of My Life and some reviews by some folks who have read it. Its next in the rotation and as soon as I finish CHW, I'm on to it!

"After this hilarious read, you may just return to your own crazy-busy routine a little happier." - Redbook

"Perfect to read with friends. A book we love." -Cosmopolitan

"Book pick of the month. Insightful and honest, Winn Scotch keeps it light but delves into the dark doubts of the road not taken." - Family Circle

"A must-read. A fantastic, often funny novel." -Hallmark Magazine

"Scotch’s second book shows a writer coming into her own, a storyteller who doesn’t take the easy way out, and a woman with a fine understanding of human nature." - Booklist

A Little Bit of the Funny
So, in case I hadn't made it clear, I'm holding a Yard Sale Saturday morning. If this doesn't give me some funny crap to blog about, I'm not sure what will.

Hope you've enjoyed your trip to MollyWood, I'll try to catch you tomorrow!

Drama, Drama, Drama

2008-10-07T08:44:00.001-04:00

So…after my fantastic news Thursday (that’s what we’re calling it at least), I decided to go home and visit the folks. Since this job is going to require me to relocate to Jacksonville and have an office based out of my house, I thought that Mom and I should go to Jax and at least look around for somewhere for me to live. First off – people, I’m a girl and I love to shop – I’m going to need some space.

Well, after looking all day, I found it, as long as the woman that owns it will be flexible on the rent. Its in the Avondale neighborhood of Jax – historic and cute and on a great street with friendly neighbors (who listen to Dave – which is a good sign to me). Its convenient to I-10, Publix and the St. Johns River. It’s a 3 bedroom house with a garage and FAB backyard (hello bar-b-ques!). It’s got hardwood floors and a fireplace and personality! Which is one of the main things I’m looking for in a home. The reason I’m waiting to hear from the woman that own’s the place – she’s traveling and MOVING TO JAPAN! So, her neighbor is acting as her property manager and he seems very nice – but I don’t think we’ll be getting answers very quickly. Keep your fingers crossed.

Watching The Hills
I’m not even sure why I love it. Charlize Theron swears “Its about nothing.” But if its Monday night at 10pm – don’t even think about calling me cause The Hills is ON!

Going back to Tally, Tally, Tally.
I listed that as my Facebook status this morning and I’ve had the LL Cool J version (Goin back to Cali) ALL Day. What was the last song to get stuck in your head?

News on the House
Well - I got an email this morning - what a difference a night makes - and she'll come down on the rent a bit! So I'm going to take it! I'm so excited....I have a place to live!

Hope you enjoyed your visit to MollyWood – I’ll try to catch you tomorrow!

Best Night of Sleep in a LONG Time!

2008-10-03T08:41:00.003-04:00

I have a solution to my sleeping problem.

First - I was in bed by 11pm (very unusual as of late...I've just been more of a night owl).

Second - the weather in Tallahassee lately has been phenomenal - 50s in the morning, mid-80s in the afternoons. So I slept with my bedroom window open and a low fan on - I think the fresh air made me sleepier.

Third, and most importantly, I GOT A JOB OFFER!!! All the stress and worry and anxiety seemed to drift away to a soundtrack of Grant Lee Phillips (if you don't know, you should!) (Ignore the photo clips in the link - listen to the FABULOUS music!)

I woke up this morning refreshed and relaxed and stoked!

So the job, I should find out soon when I start. The offer is official, since my background check came back clean (so, clearly for all of you that were worried, there is confirmation that I'm not a serial killer - though I have been known to be a cereal killer!) Part of the offer means I have 90 days to relocate to the Jacksonville area, but I can start working from home once I get my equipment! I'm the new Development Director for a national foundation for North Florida. So, look out - I'll be raising money in your area!

Mostly, I want to say thanks! Thanks to my friends who have listened to me whine about having nothing to do. Thanks to my friends who have put up with my lame ass moping around. Thanks to my friends who have bought almost ALL of my meals when we've gone out anywhere....the paybacks are coming! Mostly, I want to say thanks. This hase been one of the greatest nightmares of my life, and I feel like its finally over.....and I can start being the best Molly I can be - which is better than I was before.

Below - just a little humor - according to my cousing Gina "I am now dumber for having seen that" ENJOY!

I STILL Heart Donnie Wahlberg

2008-09-28T20:56:00.003-04:00

Ok - so if you didn't watch VH1's Behind the Music of New Kids on the Block tonight - I'm not really sure I have anything to say to you!

What I can tell you is 20 years after my obsession with Donnie Wahlberg began (Hello! Molly Wahl, Donnie Wahlberg) (his birthday is August 17th, mine is August 19th and no I did NOT look that up for this blog), he is still a beautiful man and a bad boy to boot. AND I find out from Behind the Music, he's divorced - come on a girl can dream can't she?

He MIGHT even be hotter now than he was when I saw them at the Cocoa Expo in 1990. And, I will be downloading the new album, The Block tonight, not that impressed with them singing live, but that's not really the point is it?

And how adorable was it that Maria Menunos pulled out a letter that she wrote about Jonathan when she was 12 years old??

About 3 1/2 years ago, when I and then boyfriend Billy were flying to Seattle to go on vacation with his family, we flew out of Orlando to DC (I think) and as we got on the plane, Billy said, "I think Jordan Knight is on our plane"

Me, like a rabid dog, sits up, eyes wide and says "Where???" looking around furiously.

He says, right back there and points about five rows behind us in COACH.

When we landed, wherever we were, we were behind him and heading in the same direction and yours truly says, "Excuse me, are you Jordan Knight?" and he says yes, and smiles. AND I DIDN'T GET A PICTURE!!!! However, did we get a picture with whatever professional wrestler was on our plane in Seattle?? YES. Not that I'm bitter. But yes Bitches, I DID meet Jordan Knight.

I know there are several of you that will hate this post, but it makes me happy to know that New Kids have new music and are back together!

The Best of Craigslist.....

2008-09-26T14:25:00.002-04:00

So, because I might be moving across the country, I have been looking at Craigslist for apartments in Boston. And then today, I found the BEST listing ever.....TITLED :

$40 Sleep on my couch!! (Lucky You!) (Cambridge/Somerville)

Hi. If you're looking for a place for just a few days (up to a week or so)I have an extremely comfortable couch you can use. I have a one bedroom apartment with a patio and small yard that is right on the Cambridge/Somerville border (Inman Square). It's a 10-15 minute walk to either the red line (Harvard Square station) or the green line (Lechmere station). You could also use the kitchen, bathroom, washing machine and wireless internet as needed. I do have two small beagles, who are loud when they're outside, but good when they're indoors. (I'd be willing to talk about 35/night if you wanted to walk them daily.) As for me - I'm 31, live alone, work from home, but usually spend my days at local cafe, and go out a few nights a week. As for you - you're decent, honest, dont steal, like dogs, and clean up after yourself.

This is as good as it gets folks!

Hope you enjoyed your trip to MollyWood....I'll try to catch you tomorrow.

Proud to Be Part of the 24 Percent.

2008-09-26T13:53:00.007-04:00

I think I'm just irritated today. I've been cooped up in the house all week - and I need to go out and socialize - THANK GOD for some of my friends.

So....on top of everything - I'm at Panera (because we all know I love the free internet) and I wanted to get lunch.

Can we just talk about ettiquitte at a counter service restaurant? Here is what we don't do. DO NOT go and stand in front of the condiment station and PREPARE your drink. I promise there are people behind you getting more and more irritated with you by the minute. And then, when you start talking to your friend next to you, who CLEARLY sees me standing behind you but does nothing to indicate to you that there's someone waiting....it makes me want to throw my perfectly good BACON TURKEY BRAVO at your head.

On another note....are you aware of the HOURS of USELESS crap on daytime television? Every day I am amazed that there isn't anything better on TV.

Did you know there are FOUR HOURS of the Today Show? And they have the same guests with different hosts asking THE SAME QUESTIONS. Today, this woman, beautifyl, single woman is being interviewed talking about being single. And how she's accepted it, but others make her feel bad....and they flash these numbers across the bottom of the screen.

41% of women 24-29 are not married
24% of women 30-34 are not married

The point is, she wrote a book, which is excerpted on the Today Show web site. Seems like a good read, but you can't get it at the library....so I'm not reading it right now.

And, I just have to throw in how awesome it was to flip back and forth between Grey's Anatomy premiere and COLLEGE FOOTBALL. Can't believe that USC lost - actually I can because they are SO Arrogant. Its exciting when a #1 team loses to a nobody.

A follow up to an older I'm a Disco Duck - I told my mom about the post I wrote and asked if she remembered my first favorite song. She said she didn't, but that she would think about it. She called me back later last night and told me a few things, and then started singing "Disco, Disco Duck. Disco, Disco Duck." And told me the story of how that album "disappeared" from our house.

Hope you enjoyed your trip to MollyWood...I'll try to catch you tomorrow.

Wisdom from the Strangest Places

2008-09-25T21:13:00.003-04:00

For Real, Smart Person of the Day!

I am usually being snark-tastic when I give out these awards. This time, I'm not.

You may or may not know this. I am not a Kid Rock fan.....until today. As you know, in my world, "sabbatical" really means, watching too much daytime television. The clip above is of Kid Rock on the Ellen show. Ellen shows "Kid" a clip of Pam Anderson hopping around her show in a tiny bikini. Then asks him to explain her. And his response was FANTASTIC!!! Seriously, I am so proud of him, I can hardly tell you.

"I touch stove. Stove was hot. I think I’ll not touch stove anymore."

Seriously? GENIUS!

I want my $297,500!

2008-09-25T10:48:00.002-04:00

So, one of the intersting things about my Dad - this year he has been relentless in sending me email forwards. We had to have a talk when I was working about sending me nude photos at work (yes, I actually had to explain why that wasn't a good idea.) But every once in a while, he sends a good one. And this one gets all the credit from Dad - seriously? What would you do?

The Birk Economic Recovery Plan
An outstanding plan!
I'm against the $85,000,000,000.00 bailout of AIG. Instead, I'm in favor of giving $85,000,000,000 to America in, we'll cal it a "We Deserve It" dividend. To make the math simple, let's assume there are 200,000,000 bonafide U.S. Citizens 18+. Our population is about 301,000,000 +/- counting every man, womanand child. So 200,000,000 might be a fair stab at adults 18 and up..So divide 200 million adults 18+ into $85 billon that equals $425,000.00. My plan is to give $425,000 to every person 18+ as a "We Deserve It" dividend. Of course, it would NOT be tax free. So let's assume a tax rate of 30%. Every individual 18+ has to pay $127,500.00 in taxes. That sends $25,500,000,000 right back to Uncle Sam. But it means that every adult 18+ has $297,500.00 in their pocket. A husband and wife has $595,000.00. What would you do with $297,500.00 to $595,000.00 in your family? Pay off your mortgage - housing crisis solved. Repay college loans - what a great boost to new grads. Put away money for college - it'll be there. Save in a bank - create money to loan to entrepreneurs.Buy a new car - create jobs. Invest in the market - capital drives growth. Pay for your parent's medical insurance - health care improves. Enable Deadbeat Dads to come clean - or else. Remember this is for every adult U S Citizen 18+ including the folkswho lost their jobs at Lehman Brothers and every other companythat is cutting back. And of course, for those serving in our Armed Forces. If we're going to re-distribute wealth let's really do it...instead of
trickling outa puny $1000.00 ( "vote buy" ) economic incentive that is being proposed by
one of our candidates for President.
If we're going to do an $85 billion bailout, let's bail out every adult U S Citizen 18+!As for AIG - liquidate it. Sell off its parts. Let American General go back to being American General. Sell off the real estate. Let the private sector bargain hunters cut it up and clean it up. Here's my rationale. We deserve it and AIG doesn't. Sure it's a crazy idea that can "never work," but can you imagine the Coast-To-Coast Block Party! How do you spell Economic Boom? I trust my fellow adult Americans to know how to use the $85 Billion "We Deserve It"dDividend more than I do the geniuses at AIG or in Washington DC. And remember, The Birk plan only really costs $59.5 Billion because $25.5 Billion is returnedinstantly in taxes to Uncle Sam. Ahhh...I feel so much better getting that off my chest. Kindest personal regards,BirkT. J. Birkenmeier, A Creative Guy & Citizen
PS: Feel free to pass this along to your pals as it's either good for alaugh or a tear or a very sobering thought on how to best use $85 Billion!!

So, the question is...what would you do with an instant $297,500 in your pocket instantly?

I hope you enjoyed your visit to MollyWood.....I'll try to catch you tomorrow!

I'm a Disco Duck!

2008-09-25T10:16:00.001-04:00

So, as part of my "sabbatical" I've started blogging and reading all kinds of blogs. So, I found I'm Just a Girl from surfing through Ask Allison - who incidentally, made me one of her book contest winners.

So, anyway, I'm Just a Girl had some very interesting questions and it made me start thinking...

1. What was your first favorite song? Its probably a tie between the Sesame Street Song (the original, not that crazy crap they play now) and Disco Duck - come on and listen to it....you can't help but smile because its SO ridiculous! But my mom had this Disco Compilation record and I swear I could listen to that song on my Fisher Price record player over and over again.

2. Who was your first favorite female singer? Now this is a tough one, mostly because I don't really remember my first. I remember my parents were very into Country and Dolly Parton, but the first one I can really remember being IN LOVE with Tiffani and Debbie Gibson. I'm sure there were others, and if you ask Nancy she might tell you something completely different.

3. Who was your first favorite male singer? That would be Michael Jackson and his YELLOW SEQUINED sweater. I even had the poster on the wall in my bedroom!

4. Who was your first favorite band? Its either the Jackson 5 OR The Beach Boys. Growing up in Florida, we are all about the beach and what says more about an endless summer than the Beach Boys?

5. Who is your all time favorite band? Wow, this is really too difficult to answer. I'm so music oriented, it would depend on genre and then even possibly era. Some of my all time favorites are Dave Matthews Band (you knew I was going to say it!), The Cure, Metallica, Steve Miller, The Beach Boys, the GoGos, REM...the list goes on and on.

6. Who is your all time favorite male singer? I'm with Just a Girl, on the straight singing its Josh Groban. On the makes my knees weak and could listen to him sing the phone book? Dave Matthews - seriously? I would be a fantastic stalker - I could watch that man do ANYTHING!

7. Who is your all time favorite female singer? I have always love Britney (pre-K-Fed) and Janet Jackson. I'll throw a little Country in and say Trisha Yearwood as well.

8. What is your all time favorite LP/CD album? Holy crap this is a hard question to answer. I don't think I can pick just one. The one thing I love about iTunes is the ability to download all kinds of stuff, and my tastes are eclectic.

9. What was your first favorite radio station? Central Florida in the 80's? It was ALL ABOUT BJ 105.1 - seriously?? Who would name a radio station BJ?

Let me know what you think!

I hope you enjoyed your visit to MollyWood....I'll try to catch you tomorrow!

I can Burp the Alphabet

2008-09-25T01:15:00.003-04:00

Well...Maybe not.

If I've talked to you today, you know I've been nauseated all day long. And now, tonight, I can't sleep. Not because I'm feeling ill....but becuase I CAN'T STOP BURPING. Seriously, big ones, little ones, long ones, short ones...its insane. I have never been this gaseous in my LIFE!

Have you ever had this problem?

Hope you enjoyed your visit to MollyWood...I'll try to catch you tomorrow.

Something to Think About

2008-09-23T23:45:00.002-04:00

One of the things my sabbatical has allowed me to do, is to start reading blogs. I never got into them before, now I know its not cause I didn't have the time, but I didn't have the time up front. Now, I'm a blogger and reader fo' sho'.

After finding Ask Allison, her question today really got me thinking. There's hardly anything in my life I would do over, but there are so many choices and decisions that could have made things SO different....down to answering a phone call. (and a fabulous Gwenyth Paltrow movie, Sliding Doors - if you haven't seen it...do it, it's AMAZING!)

My biggest what if, after thinking about this for most of the day. When I finished graduate school, I moved to Atlanta and tried desperately to find a public relations job in a newly post- 9-11 world. Needless to say, it was an interesting adventure. My friend Jenn Underhill hooked me up with a really cool freelance job, but I couldn't find anything permanent. I even found this recruitment firm that specializes in communications jobs. They led me to this AMAZING job with a law firm in downtown Atlanta. Seriously, their office is across the street from the old Downtown Macy's. But I did not get offered that amazing job. Instead, I got an offer to move back to the small Central Florida town I grew up in....and I took it. Mostly because I was scared.

And now, six and a half years later, I wonder what my life would be like if I had stayed in Atlanta and stuck it out. There were three more years of Molly and Billy that never would have happened. I think I would be in a very different position than I am now...but I would have missed out on so many cool things.

What about you? What's your greatest What If moment? Do you ever think about what would have happened if you would have made a different decision about something?

Hope you've enjoyed your visit to MollyWood - I'll try to catch you tomorrow!

The Interview - a Recap

2008-09-23T00:47:00.004-04:00

Well....thanks to all of you for your well wishes - I really appreciate it. What I can tell you is that of all things, this experience has made me realize that I am marketable and I can have a good interview and answer questions!

So, Friday's adventure was supposed to start at 3:45 am....which I figured I would need to go to sleep around 9pm to get enough rest. Good in theory, but if you know me at all, you know I can't sleep when I'm excited or nervous (thus the Ambien perscription) and I was nervous that if I took drugs I would oversleep.....so when I was awake at 3am, I just decided to get up. In the long run, it was probably the better decision, since I could completely take my time to get ready....and I was actually ready a little early.

I had my red laptop bag packed with everything you could possibly think of, hairspray, makeup, flip flops, laptop, ipod, magazine, gum, toothburush and toothpaste, snacks...I'm sure there was more...I accidentally weighed my bag....17 pounds!

Ok...so Tallahassee airport at 5:20 am, Atlanta airport at 6:40am and I was in Chicago by 9:30. One of the dummer things I did was wear my heels on all the planes, I should have carried them instead.....my feet hurt so bad.

In Chicago, I got a cab and made it to the office, a little early too. Though the cab driver was crazier than Deborah...seriously! I thought I was going to die about 20 times, and we had to go all of 5 blocks.

The interview itself was awesome. The women I met with seem amazing, very smart and knowledgable. And to me, they asked the right questions - I'm so curious about the actual office I would be working in. (The interview was in Chicago, the job is in Boston.) And I've started looking at Craigslist for apartments, that's how good I think it went.

Here's what I can tell you.....the job itself excites me, for lots of reasons mostly because it would be starting 5 events almost from scratch. On the flip side, moving to Boston terrifies me on many levels....snow, large metro area, crazy accents, no family, no friends, no Publix (seriously - those that don't live in the south, it REALLY is the BEST grocery store), no beach....well I guess there is a beach.....its just very different.

The flight back was crazy. There was much confusion with which airline I was actually on...US Air, operated by United...so that means you check in at the United desk...who knew? And I had to wait about 3 hours. I was so pumped when I got to the airport, and I talked to a few people, but as the time went on, I was getting more and more worn out. When I finally got on the plane, the sweet man next to me agreed that he would wake me if I was snoring (bless you, because aparently, I was).....then I RAN through the Charlotte airport - litterally from one end to the other....thank GOD I brought flip flops. And I ended up on a plane with Amanda May's mom. By the time I got to my house at almost 11 pm, I was so tired that I had to take some Ambien to make sure I slept, which I did until 10am Saturday!

So now, I wait. Keep up your good thoughts and wishes, but I have no news at this point. The recruiter keeps telling me to be positive and stay focused....I'm trying, but its hard. So if you've got any ideas how to stay occupied, I'm up for it!

Hope you enjoyed your trip to MollyWood....I'll try to catch you tomorrow!

Swamp Thing...You Make my Heart Sing!

2008-09-17T09:10:00.007-04:00

So, the fact that I haven't had an actual date in over a year (please don't remind me, I'm going to get bitter) obviously doesn't make me happy. And then I talk to my fabulous single girlfriends and instead of being not happy, I'm confused.

I was hanging out at Panera last night (free internet with a really good signal and faboo lemonade!) and I talked to my friend Jen. She had sent me a partial profile of a boy she met through J-Date....who had "hotlisted" her. One thing that puzzled me, she was surprised that someone had "hotlisted" her. And I kept wondering....why would my fabulous and adorable friend, who is highlly educated, smart, AND funy be surprised that someone was interested in her.

Now, it being the internet age, I'm not immune to the internet dating. I've done it a few times, a few with relative success, and a few that were disasters....ask me about the ice sculpture with shrimp. So, I'm used to getting emails with profiles and sending them. When we talked, one thing Jen couldn't get over was, this guy had "hotlisted" her without looking at her profile.

But, the details that she got seem good....Single, Man seeking a Woman, Looking For: Marriage, A long-term relationship, Marriage & Children, 34 years old, Single, I keep Kosher: Not at all, I go to Synagogue: Sometimes, Non-Smoker, Social Drinker, Bachelor's Degree, Occupation Financial/Accounting/Insurance/Real Estate. She told me she was interested and went to look at his profile, but he didn't have a photo, so we couldn't properly dissect him on the phone.

And then she said it.

"I don't know, let's just see if he looks like swamp-thing. I mean, I'm open, but if he looks like the star of a Wes Craven movie, I'm out."

And I wondered, why do we do this to ourselves? Why are we suprised that someone that looks good on paper is interested in us? Why do we assume that someone that's interested in us has something wrong with them? Why is this whole dating thing so hard? And why won't my gmail load....does anyone else use gmail? Can you tell me what's going on? Last night...it kept reloading while I was trying to read emails!

Hope you enjoyed your trip to MollyWood...I'll catch you tomorrow!

UPDATE: Gmail HTML version is working, but not the Beta.

Po' Boys and LOTS o' MEN!

2008-09-15T16:49:00.003-04:00

I had lunch with my fabulous friend Lilly. (If I ever totally get the hang of this blog thing, I will start taking photos everywhere with my fabulous digital camera so you can see the people I speak of!) We went to Po' Boys in downtown Tally. I must say, I've never been there for lunch during the week, but Lills and I, both young and single decided we will be going back....with other young and single friends! (Ok, so really, I wanted the camera for this.) I'm telling you, I walked in the door and EVERYWHERE I LOOKED, there were men....old, young, hot, not, cute and distinguished...it was a veritable schmorgasboard....we both agreed.

Its nice to hear others lament about their dating issues...I'm glad when I hear its not just me. I'm also glad when my married friends tell me about their bliss....it gives me something to hope for! Lilly convinced me of the joys of juggling...I'mjust not skilled.

Short post this week...fairly uneventful weekend. Parents, football, movie, Publix.

Side note, on my way to lunch...I sat at the light at Meridian and Tennessee (between Leon HS and the gas station). Now, normally, nothing of interest, but it was lunchtime and the ENTIRE parking lot was full of high schoolers waiting to walk in the Jiffy store to pick up their oh-so nutritious lunches of Mountain Dew, Doritos, cookies and candy. We were never allowed to leave school to each lunch at a gas station...though some of my classier friends are fans of the GAS STATION HOT DOG and have taught their children the same.

Hope you enjoyed your visit to MollyWood...I'll catch you tomorrow!

Look Who We've got our HANES ON NOW!!!!

2008-09-12T15:25:00.004-04:00

So, the neighbors just keep getting weirder.

This morning is not the first time I've heard, guitar strumming coming through the wall from the people next door. Vacuuming at midnight, I can deal, cause at least it keeps the place clean....but come on...how loud do you have to be playing the guitar that I can hear it next door. And there's no song or diciferable tune, its just random strumming and it continues for almost an hour.

Then, just as I'm falling asleep on the couch (it was a slow day today, and I don't feel good) my doorbell rings...and my doorbell NEVER rings. So I answer it to find my neighbor in all his tatooed in his underwear glory. Now granted, he's got a pretty tight body, but he's standing in my doorway, asking for help since he took the trash out and locked himself out. I told him I didn't have a spare key, but he could call our landlord. Then he realized he had a spare key outside, so he could let himself back in.

Here's the question - what would it take for you to take out your trash in your underwear???

I'm not keeping quite any more!

2008-09-11T18:40:00.002-04:00

Ok, so some of you know that I live in a duplex townhouse (it rocks) and the day I lost my job, I got new neighbors....coincidence?? Possibly. So anyway, I LOVED my old neighbors, I never saw them and NEVER heard them next door. They were hispanic from Miami (big shout out to Carmen and Frank) and friendly, but NOT intrusive.

So anyway, Parish and his new wife, who's name I still don't know, have been living next door for two months-ish. He seems nice, but a little strange. He is the manager of a restaurant and is always friendly and remembered my name after the first time he met me. She's more elusive, I have no idea what she does, but I can tell you she smokes, INSIDE THE HOUSE. Now, I could care less if she wants to kill herself, but when I have been out all day and I come home, MY HOUSE SMELLS LIKE STALE CIGARETTES!!!! I call Bull-Shit on that one.

So this week, Sally-Ann (which is what I'm calling her until someone actually tells me her name) has discovered that we have a hose on the front of the building and she has started not washing but spraying-off her car. How do I know this? I can hear her turning on the spicket in the house.

So this afternoon....I hear her turning on the hose, and I look out the window to see her spraying off her car with a cigarette hanging out of her mouth!!!! Come on.....put the cigarette out already.

More to come on this one, I promise!

MollyWood loves ya...catch ya tomorrow!

I gots an Interview - Part II

2008-09-11T16:57:00.005-04:00

So, two things happened on the job front today.

(1) I had my phone interview for the event planner position - it rocked, thank you! I had the HR woman chuckling along with me...not a lot, but enough. They're finishing phone interviews this week and doing in-persons next week....and she "doesn't see why she won't be talking to me again." Sounds positive...but I'm not getting my hopes up.

(2) I am going to Chicago next Friday (19th) to interview for the job the headhunter found in Boston. I'm psyched, I wish I could stay longer, but since I have no money its probably better that the Michigan Ave. stores won't be calling my name!

I'm a little more excited about the first than the second, but I think that has something to do with not wanting to move....and I know more about the first than the second.

I got a surprise phone call from my friend Lori that I used to work with. She's the fabulous mother of triplet boys....and she works...what a woman. She just called to check on me....and tell me she was thinking about me, which I appreciate more than she can know. And she gave me some gossip about our old employer.....which made me shocked and awed.

Also, for those of you not on facebook...I am suggesting that you RUN, don't walk to get yourselves on. With the games, networking and other crap...it keeps my sabatical-living butt entertained for HOURS!

I hope you enjoyed your trip to MollyWood...I'll try to catch you tomorrow!

Woo Hoo....I gots an INTERVIEW!!!

2008-09-10T23:20:00.004-04:00

So, most of you know about my employment situation, or lack there of....though I have decided that the official term is, "I'm on sabbatical." I think it sounds better than, "I'm un-employed."

That said....most of you want to know what's going on. Well, to date, I've sent out about 50 resumes to positions in Tallahasssee, Tampa, Orlando, Atlanta, and Boston ???(I'm getting to it). And though I have been sending out mondo applications, there's not much coming back my way....there was a phone interview with a local association for a position that I was way over qualified for. For which I then got an email saying that I wasn't the right fit for the position...WHATEVER.

Tuesday I got a call from an organization that had my resume from a position I applied for over a month ago (that they already filled) but they thought of me for another position, an association event planner, FUN! I have a phone interview tomorrow! HOORAY!

Then, there's this recruiting firm that my friend Keri hooked me up with....well....it was full speed ahead with them, then nothing for two weeks...and then today!!! HOORAY! So, the message I got today was that they want to interview me, I'm sorry, fly me to Chicago and interview me.....the job is in Boston, but I'm totally up for traveling ANYWHERE on someone else's dime.

Thanks for all the kind thoughts, I appreciate it more than I can tell you.....I'll keep you posted!

Thanks for stopping by MollyWood....I'll try to catch you tomorrow!

Interesting Indian Summer Reading!

2008-09-09T22:34:00.003-04:00

So, as part of my current employment situation is that I have sworn I will do more reading….and since I have been visiting the public library more often, and I have learned some FABULOUS things that they offer, for example, did you know you can use your library card and reserve a book, they will pull it, email you and hold it at the front desk for you to come and get it….or they’ll put you on a waiting list until its ready…how cool is that?? You don’t even have to venture into the smelly stacks, where they apparently don’t put the books anyway.

Anywho, one of the books that I found, through my blog guru, Jen Lancaster, was Jessica Culter's The Washingtonienne. Seriously, if you want to read an entire book (it will take you about 2 days) and the entire time, yell "WTF" at no one...I highly suggest this.

If not, here's my synopsis. Lazy, smart girl from New York, f's up her relationship with her "fiance" and moves to DC to live with her friend. While "interning" for a senator, she meets two men old enough to be her father, sleeps with both of them on a regular basis (including hours after she meets them) gets them both to pay for an apartment for her, give her a "stipend" every time they meet, and fly her around the country on trips. While in relationships with both men, she sleeps around with various losers, meets someone at her new job, falls in love, blogs about her sexcapades, gets out-ed to the DC gossips, gets evicted, gets book deal, becomes more fabulous than before for being high-cost whore! This is definately a cautionary tale.....and is not for the faint of heart.

And if you think that my life isn't depressing enough, here's a fabulous library story to brighten your day. I was in the public library, waiting for my reserved computer (yes, you have to sign in and get assigned a computer at a specific computer for a specific time). The computer I had been assigned at 4:10 was currently (3:40) occupied by four teen thugs watching YouTube videos of people fighting and knocking people out. I'm waiting, quite patiently for me, especially, and I walked by to go to the magazine stacks, and one of these THUGS is sitting at the computer, in the library, flicking a lighter!!!! So I leaned over and said, "Please don't flick a lighter in here! There are books and magazines and lots of things that are, um, flamable!" and to my surprise, his friend says, "Dude! Don't burn down the library!"

Hope you enjoyed your trip to MollyWood...I'll catch you tomorrow!

Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog

2008-09-04T19:44:00.002-04:00

I finally broke down and watched it.

If you haven't seen it yet...DO IT NOW!

Its another reason I believe Joss Whedon is a complete GENIOUS!

Thanks for stopping by MollyWood....I'll catch you tomorrow!

You Gotta Love Rudy....

2008-09-03T22:41:00.005-04:00

I'm not a die-hard Republican...but that's the way I'm leaning this election.

I've watched both conventions, and I REALLY enjoyed tonight's speakers.

If you didn't get a chance to watch Rudy Guiliani's speech....check youtube for it....I've got a transcript for you....it was amazing. Well....I guess if you're not voting for Obama you'd think it was amazing.

Sara Palin just ripped on Obama - and I loved the joke about the Hockey Moms and Bulldogs. I like her more and more. And if she were a man, NO ONE would be asking if she would be able to be both a mother and a vice president....NO ONE is asking if Barak can be both a father and a president.

I hope you enjoyed your visit to MollyWood...I'll catch you tomorrow!

Crazy Labor Day Weekend

2008-09-02T17:24:00.005-04:00

Get me to the Haunted Mansion on Time?!?!?!

I'm not sure how I did it, but I convinced my mom to take my unemployed-ass to Disney World on Sunday. We were supposed to take my grandma, but more on that to come. We had a great day. For those of you that live in the south, you get it. August in Florida feels like the equivalent of taking a walk through hell.....its hot, humid and there's almost no breeze, and that's why we love it so much.

So, we go to the park (Magic Kingdom, thank you) and we had a faboo day. It was 82 degrees, overcast and breezy, it was almost fall-like. And, because the forcast was for all day rain, there were very few people there...seriously, we didn't wait over 30 minutes for any ride all day. We were debating where to go next, and I suggested the Haunted Mansion. One of my all time favs, if you haven't been in a while, they've updated it very well, but kept it classically true and its cool to go through and try to decipher what's new and what's always been there! (and I love knocking on the Doom-Buggy in front of us in the dark!)

As we are leaving and walk outside, I see this white flash behind the brick entrance....and then I see it. There is a woman, about 22, in a wedding gown, complete with heels, white elbow length gloves, veil and a tiara. She is standing with a man, about 30, in a black suit, white shirt and black tie, throwing a black backpack over his shoulder. As they walk toward Fantasy Land, her beautiful white dress with intricate gold embroidery bustled crooked in the back and dragging on the ground behind her, little girls standing in line gasp, point and yell "Look!" And she is beaming!

As my mom and I were walking to get ice cream (yes I'm aware I'm insanely spoiled!) I was completely exasperated and told my mom, "If at any point, I decide to get married and I come and tell you that after my wedding I want to run around Disney World in my wedding dress please feel free to smack me!" She looked so proud.

Since Sunday, I've done a bit of research, at favorideas.com and Disney Fairytale Weddings, and I've found that

Walt Disney World hosts more than 2,300 weddings each year.
Walt Disney World is the most popular wedding/honeymoon location in the U.S.
An average Disney Wedding with 100 guests costs more than $20,000.
The simplest possible wedding at Walt Disney World will run you about $4,000, and this for an intimate affair with up to 18 guests. That will buy you a four-night honeymoon at Disney resort, a daylight ceremony, a wedding cake, a bouquet for the bride, a marriage certificate (signed by Mickey!), and several other trimmings, but no reception.

Well....I don't know about you, but I think $75 per person in shorts in Florida in August is enough to ride Its a Small World and the Haunted Mansion. I also think that when I get married, whenever that is, that I'd rather spend time with my friends and family...but that's all the choice that I get to make.

Grandma's got White Hair!
If you know me, you know that my mom's side of my family is a long line of women, that are rather with-it, led by my Grandma. She's always been a very young grandma. When she turned 60, she bought a red-Mitsubishi Eclipse. She has ALWAYS gotten her hair done and wears makeup to the grocery store. When I was home for the weekend...we met her for drinks and dinner, and she has white hair. Now there are many people, like my Dad, who don't understand the relevance of this. All I can tell you, its devestating to me....mostly because she's really getting old and that's hard to handle.

Hope you enjoyed your visit to MollyWood....I'll catch you tomorrow!

Laughing so Hard...I can't Breathe!

2008-08-29T01:09:00.002-04:00

Everyone should have a best friend. Seriously....I know you get them over time, but there's just something that comes from knowing someone for over 10 years.

Tonight, I was checking my facebook account (I am newly addicted...but it has taken over the Myspace addiction!). I GOT FLAIR! Seriously, if you don't have flair, I suggest you get some immediately. My best friend Mychelle sends me flair that says "If you live to be 100, I hope I live to 100 minus 1 day so I never have to live without you - Winne the Pooh" Seriously, how sweet is that? I almost cried.

So I call her and I am greeted with " 'Sup." (I'm not recapping the entire conversation of hilarity, but I'm getting there).

Her: "What are you doing?"

Me: "Filling out a job application for a recruiter I talked to today."

Her: "Where it be?" (I am not making this up, my college educated best friend asked me where a job I was looking at be)

So, what you should know is that my FAVORITE SNL skit is from 1996 right after the Olympics with Keri Strug and Chris Kattan as her brother. Mychelle and I lived together and watched the skit when it originally aired, and have quoted it relentlessly ever since. Well...tonight, we decided to find it and post it on myspace. "Yeah, sure, you're filling out an application!"

We watched it together twice...you can watch for yourself...but the best part is that Keri Strug is clearly having so much fun that she can't stop laughing, which of cours makes it even funnier. So Mychelle and I are laughing on the phone so hard that I can't breathe and her boyfriend Michael (seriously, how cute is that? I know, I just threw up a little in my mouth) came in the room and said, "Are you talking to Molly?" At least he knows that I'm the only person that can make her laugh so hard she might fall down.

Anyway, hope you enjoy the video, its a trip! Thanks for visiting MollyWood...I'll catch ya tomorrow!

Psychiatric Hotline....

2008-08-27T23:12:00.001-04:00

Props to my friend Lora - she's always there with the funny.

Well....tonight, I'm at dinner with an old friend (she's not old, I've just known her for a long time and if she reads this, she'll get mad that I called her old...I DID NOT!), and I get this txt msg from Lora

"Dial this number and just listen, 603-413-4133."

Its the number for the psychiatric hotline...and its fantastically funny....especially since they know who you are and why you're calling.

Enjoy!

Meeting Boys - Not as Fun as Shopping

2008-08-27T22:57:00.001-04:00

So, I am currently, sometimes hopelessly, single. There has been a very noticeable (to all of my friends and family) dry spell happening. We're not even talking about the last time I had an actual "date," but its been a while.

So when I was grocery shopping on Sunday.....(Publix was very busy)...I spotted Mr. Cutie. Two aisles over I see this guy in a light blue polo with a tiny basket over his arm. So, as I was shopping..read shopping, not stalking, he turned and looked at me...I made eye contact and smiled. By the way, I was looking very Sporty Spice on Sunday....black capri yoga pants, long sleeved San Fran t-shirt, sneakers, my Harvard baseball cap that makes me feel smart and just enough makeup to look fresh and not like I was wearing makeup.

So, I'm shopping and smiling at Mr. Cutie...and I look away, extremely fascinated by pork chops. (It's called flirting people, give me a break!) I discreetly look for Mr. Cutie and find that he's heading toward me. I throw the pork chops in my basket and quickly turn in his direction, clipping his hip with my cart! SCORE!!!

Me: I'm SOOOO sorry. I am such a klutz. Its so busy in here....are you ok?

Mr. Cutie: I'm good...I think I'll survive.

(insert 15 minutes of random small talk here....its the Harvard hat. really, this was some of my best work)

Me: Well, Steve* I'm really sorry I ran into you. I hate to tell you this, I would love to stand here and talk to you, but I'm meeting some friends for dinner, and I've got to finish here and get cleaned up.

Mr. Cutie: Hey, I understand...can't stand in the grocery store and talk all day. Can I call you some time to talk some more?

Me: Sure! You can give me a call at xxx-xxx-xxxx.

Mr. Cutie: Cool, I'll give you a call this week. Have fun at dinner.

Me: Thanks! Talk to you soon!

So, here's the deal. Its Wednesday night...and NO CALL from Mr. Cutie. So by my calculations, and the three day rule! he should have called.

There's a lesson here kiddies-the old, hit 'em with your cart at the grocery store does work...but it doesn't always get you a date!

Hope you enjoyed your trip to MollyWood....I'll catch ya tomorrow!

* That's not his real name, but since he didn't call....does it really matter?

They're Baaaacccckkk

2008-08-26T00:14:00.001-04:00

Turning 30 has done something to me. I have always been excited to see students come back to town. This year, I feel like I understand why when my friends and I came back to campus after summer break, the locals would give me dirty looks when I would go shopping. After having to navigate my way through a very busy Publix, I realized I am the old chick giving the students dirty looks becuase they are so vapid. When the hell did that happen??

I knew it was coming in the spring. I was at an event for work at FAMU (Florida A&M University). The DJ announced he would be starting "Old School Hour" and he would be "spinning tracks from back in the day!" Now, I know what you're thinking...if they're old school...everyone should know them. But here's the thing, he then yelled to the crowd of college students as he played Bel Biv Devo's Poison "This song came out in 1990...Hands up to all you people born in 1990." And then it happened...about 1/3 of the crowd (about 800 students) threw their hands up in the air and screamed.

And I thought to myself...didn't I start babysitting in 1990? I mean, I wasn't old, but I was in middle school when Poison came out. Then, he did it. He played the anthem to all suburban white children of the 80's...Ice Ice Baby. I was walking around singing, EVERY SINGLE WORD and one of the college students I was working with said, "Do it Molly. I can't believe you know this song!" The look of shock and amazement on my face should have been priceless. This kid...who very possibly was concieved while someone was listening to this song was amazed that I, the coolest adult there, knew this song.

You know better don't you? I hope you enjoyed your visit to MollyWood...I'll catch you tomorrow!

Smart People of the Day Awards

2008-08-24T14:58:00.000-04:00

Since I clearly am smarter than 3/4 of the planet (in my humble opinion), I would like to start giving "props" to those whose intelligent actions, words and deeds set them above the rest. If you know my friend Emily, give her a big thanks for encouraging this to be a MollyWood blog category!

My Corinne Street neighbors - These people get the award for "check and see if the downed tree limbs you are cleaning up are going to fall and knock down an f-ing power line." Seriously, its not bad enough that my neighborhood was without power for the vast majority of Saturday or that the cable service was spotty at best, but these geniouses actually knocked out electric service for FOUR STREETS, just by cleaning up from the saddest excuse of a tropical storm I have ever seen.

FSU Panhellenic Association - Ladies, I know the drama of sorority rush. I also know the drama of sorority rush in Florida with August electrical storms. (My junior year, I got to hang in our house with no power and talk to a sobbing girl who had very smartly worn white shorts and a RED THONG and had gotten soaking wet....surprisingly, she did not get a bid.) But the genious that decided to continue with Pref Day when there was a tropical storm hitting Tallahassee she be recognized. Its just what every nervous soon-to-be freshman wants to do is stand outside of one of the three houses they are pref-ing and instead of primping or trying to not sound like a moron (for some of them, its work) they are trying to not get their fancy "garden party" dress and coordinating shoes soaking wet.
*Photo courtesy of the Tallahassee Democrat

Comcast Cable - I get it. Its a storm, there's lots of wind and rain and lightning, and as I already mentioned, super-intelligent people. But wouldn't you think that with all that going on, the Capital Area's only cable provider would at least have someone manning (obviously not womanning) the phones to enter service requests? I would. But instead, from my house with no power and no cable, I called the service number listed on my bill...and there was no ringing and no one answering. Thankfully the cable came back on just in time for me to catch prime-time coverage of the Olympics and the men's marathon. Which is just about as interesting as watching paint dry, maybe a little less.

John Mayer - Seriously, Jennifer Anniston needs a break from dating nice-guys in disguise. I like John Mayer, loved his short-lived VH1 show, but seriously dude, SHUT THE F-UP! You broke up. Why do you care what the tabloids are saying? Be above it....if you don't want to comment on your private life when you are dating someone, then PLEASE don't comment on it once you've broken up. Be Beyonce...don't even admit it when you get married!

If you have any nominations for Smart People of the Day, please let me know.

I hope you've enjoyed your trip to MollyWood....I'll catch you tomorrow!

Things I've Learned about Unemployment

2008-08-21T21:42:00.002-04:00

So, I've learned so much in the past month. So much that I never wanted to know.

First, when you file for unemployment insurance, because surprise, surprise, that's what it is...who knew, you have what is called a "waiting week." But, no one explains what a waiting week is. Apaprently, its the first week of your unemployment, that you have to claim as being unemployed, that you do not receive benefits for. Yes folks, you read me right...you will NEVER receive your money for your first week....and NO ONE can tell me WHY.

Also - lets just say for arguements sake, that you were making very close to $1,000 per week in gross pay. Well, I hate to break it to you, no matter HOW MUCH you have accrued, you will STILL only earn $275 per week. And that's if you don't withhold 10% for taxes, which I would HIGHLY RECCOMMEND you do.

And, here's the rub. So I was thinking...I should check into doing some kind of temporary work or something to keep me busy and make some additional money. If you make over $46 per week, the overage will be deducted from your $275. That's not a typo, you read it correctly.....$46. So that means that if you make $100 a week, your unemployment payment will only be $221....so total, you'll make $267. Dig it, huh?

Welcome to MollyWood!

2008-08-21T20:40:00.000-04:00

I have made a conscious decision for myself. Since right now, I'm not working but sending my resume to anyone who has an email address...I need something to keep myself occupied. I enjoy several blogs, and my friends, family, acquaintances and kick-a$$ hair-stylist seem to enjoy my snarky comments...so I might as well share my snarkiness (yes, its a word...I TOTALLY just made it up!) with anyone who can read.

With the addition of my new laptop (shout out to Papa Pete for this one), this will be so much easier to accomplish than it was a week ago when I was making daily trips to the Public Library (more on that to come!). I have several idols in this endeavor....but Jen Lancaster is my Yoda...so props to her...and check out jennsylvania.com (NO, i didn't steal MollyWood from her, technically I stole it from a store outside of Dothan, Alabama in the summer of 2000.)

Olympic Obsessed!
You will soon learn I'm a strange, interesting chick. I don't play sports - I don't think I'm that coordinated. I do, however, watch sports - mostly college football (go Noles!), and, coincidentally, SportsCenter. Because of that fact, I have, like the rest of the country, become obsessed with this year's Summer Olympics. To the point that I had a theme party to commemorate the start of the games.

I am a Phelps Phan, I like Shawn Johnson over Nastia Lukin (she's too skinny), I still love Bella Karolyi even though he sounds like the Swedish Chef and I think the Jamaican sprinters are OBNOXIOUS. Not excited-obnoxious, but over-the-top, rub-it-in-your-face, bad sportsmanship obnoxious. And isn't that what the Olympics is all about? Its about pushing yourself, winning, congratulating your opponent, and being so proud that you are representing your country in front of the world. Its not about posing, and making puffed-up gestures to show the world how cool you are. Save it for Diddy - we all know how obnoxious he is, that's why we love him. (By the way, I'm SOOOO looking forward to seeing what happens now that Laurie Ann Gibson is back as Day 26's tour choreographer.)

I hope you've enjoyed your trip to MollyWood....I'll catch you tomorrow!

*Photo courtesy of Associated Press