Contradictions, Dumb Deals and Vomitaciousness

Today I received an e-mail from CVS with this subject line: Receive a $5 off $30 coupon for taking our Medicare Part D quiz. Now, does this mean that if I take the quiz I'll receive a $25 coupon? Not sure. But it's almost as savvy as the "take 10% off" sign by rediculously priced sweaters for sale in Florida stores. I had a vomitacious reaction when I realized that down here, sweaters, thick socks and knit hats all hit the shelves the second it hits 75 degrees.

Now, for all of you English teachers out there (yes, Mitzi, I'm referring to you), "vomitacious" is not technically a word, but you can find it in various urban dictionaries. I believe it's my new favorite non-word, and at the rate we're going, it will one day make its way to Webster's. (Someone informed me that because "irregardless" was so overly misused, it was added to the dictionary. Now THAT is vomitacious.)

So back to a few other vomitacious things today, changing the subject from clothes to life in general, I'm a little perturbed at pettiness. I'm noticing a pattern where people get far too consumed with panties in wads over tiny things while they don't take control of larger issues in their life and work. I'm not saying that I am immune to this; hell, I'm open to having it pointed out to me in my own ramblings if you feel up to it.

Bascially, I just want to know we're all doing our fair share to open up confrontations when and where they're necessary and just deal with the rest. Otherwise, we're wasting energy that's much better used on pleasantness and happy things. Are you with me on this?

Now to completely contradict this proclamation and wish, I will share that the vomitaciousness on the road has been quite scary. Today I was almost nailed head on by someone going 987 miles per hour. The person in front of me decided to stop suddenly. As I tried to go around him (after patiently waiting a few moments), he decided to reverse hastily and back into a driveway, leaving me hanging out in the other lane. And at this point, speeding driver in opposite direction had absolutely no angel callings to slow down. Pissant. Moments later, another sweet crazy person did a 3 point turn in the middle of a 4 way stop...but couldn't wait until I had passed. She actually made the 3 point turn, stopped herself at the stop sign and then went before me.

Now, aren't you glad you've listened to my petty, hypocritical vomitacious rantings? Please, share at least one vomitacious thing from your week before you leave.

Ouch

I really am a super nice person. I’m just exhausted after a long day at work. And obviously, I can count on this moment for someone I haven’t spoken to in a very long time to IM me on Facebook.  The "conversation" went kind of like this:

Long Lost Friend: Hey. How are you?

Gropius: Very busy, but everything is fine. How in the world are you?

Long Lost Friend: I’m recently engaged.

Gropius: Oh congratulations!!  Tell me about him. It’s a him, right? Hahaha.

Long Lost Friend: HE lives in Sarasota and I’m moving closer. Will be working for the March of Dimes.

Gropius: That’s wonderful! Maybe you can get them to stop animal testing. Where are you living now?

Long Lost Friend: I live in Tampa.

Gropius: Still in your townhouse?

Long Lost Friend: Yes, but I’ll be selling it.

Gropius: Good luck in this market.

Long Lost Friend: I have to go now and do some work.


Oh. So now I get it. Being tired can transform a person into one you sincerely regret ever selecting with the instant message icon. Unfortunately, I was that person.  And I never want to be that person. Somewhere in the Universe I will be forgiven, and we can all love each other again. ...As long as this blog post isn't discovered by one Ms.-Soon-To-Be-Mrs. Long Lost Friend.

My favorite psychological experiments

I stumbled upon an interesting link today on Twitter: a blog posting about how other people's expectations control us.  I was a little disappointed in what I found (nothing completely new there), but it did lead me to a more intriguing post describing 10 weird psychological studies. "Vote for your favorite!"  Hmmm...  Although I don't have a lot of extra time for something like this, it's degree of strangeness-in-the-ordinary is, shall we say, soooo Gropius.

There are plenty of "psychological" mini-experiments I've conducted over the ages with good friends and family (trusted parties who know that deep down, I'm not really a freak). Most of them amount to having a strange sense of humor and enjoying playfulness at strange times. In my professional life, it's been particularly interesting to observe repeating non-scientific psychological phenomenon, like:

• How easy it is for one freaking person in a bad mood to upset everyone, yet it's much harder to turn a sour group of people into a good spirited one. What the hell is that all about?
• Silence. It's the easiest way to make someone uncomfortable. Isn't that crazy--how hard it is for us to accept a period of no talking. I wish we could get used to less chatter. There would be more room for reasonable, well formed thought.
• The mental herd. If someone is proclaimed by enough people (or the right person) to be the most talented gift to this green earth, everyone sees his/her brilliance. Yet the moment that person falls from graces--again with the larger crowd or with the right person proclaiming it first--his/her worthiness diminishes into a bottomless hole with the larger herd. I've seen it happen regularly in the charitable social scene.

What nuggets of good citizen science psychology will you share? Say that three times fast.

By the way, when it comes to how other people's expectations control us, I'm much more likely to focus on being the opposite of someone's expectations if those expectations are mediocre or bad. Are you the same? That little Gropius rebel in all of us...

Do I have to come back?

Cedar Key was maaarvelous. If you're not from these typically tropical parts of the US, you can ID its location by picturing it hanging out in the Gulf of Mexico just south of the western bend in Florida. ...Just far enough to make you feel like you're nowhere close to the reality of life.

Yes, it was colder than a well digger's ass, but the rain shuffled off after 10 am and yielded a blue sky we welcomed like the last piece of Elvis Bites on earth. 

New paintings, pottery and potbellies from margaritas were the take home prizes. Throughout the weekend of eating (and eating and eating), we also chewed on well-endowed discussions and scenic stories, driving around with six of us happily packed in one vehicle. It was fun to be crammed in the back. With good company, anything is fun.

At the top of the edible highlights list were Elvis Bites (fried bananas with peanut butter ice cream) and fried green beans at Tony's.  For all of you strange vehicular obsessives, here's a good find, all decked out for Christmas. Bonus: it's for sale.

I bought a killer painting of thunderclouds that Husband hates (Gropius predicted!!), but we both agree that this special find takes the cake. It's a mosaic shelf for the...ah, not sure which room...but now that it's securely home, I can figure that out later, right?

Check out my Flickr feed on the right for the full scoop of nature photos, group shots and other fun stuff.  The real darling of the weekend was discovering the ladies I thought were talented, kind and funny are actually talented, kind and funny, even when spending every waking moment of 2 days together.  It was a trip. And there were plenty of wedgies for everyone.

Sadly, it's always true--just when you get in the ultimate relaxation mode, there's a day called Monday that threatens to bring you back to life-as-you-know-it.

Hell or High Water (Maybe Both?): Cedar Key is Still On

In southwest Florida this time of year, one can rely on clear skies with highs in the upper seventies--a combination that produces the best of outdoor adventures. Of course, that's what I was banking on 4 months ago when I planned a girls' weekend in Cedar Key for December 5-6.  And here we are the day before--all eight of us who agreed to spend the weekend on this mystery trek--looking at a weather map that tells us a high of 58 degrees with a 70 percent chance of rain is our destiny there tomorrow.

You see, Cedar Key is an isolated little place off the western bend in Florida. It's cloaked with quaint marshes with tall grasses and old wooden boat houses, a few short streets lined with artsy gift shops hosting art and trinkets, and a fantastic boat tour (well usually). This leaves me certain of one thing: I have no idea what you do there when it's cold and raining.

Sex, alcohol and sleep are the obvious choices. One of those is out for sure, since it's all ladies and no Husband.  The second of those I may partake in, but I've never been much of a drinker.  Give me a glass and a half of wine, and I'm either even crazier than I am under normal conditions, or I'm out like a light.

What will we do given the circumstances? Not sure, but you will surely read all about it on Sunday night. Wish us happy adventures. After all, it's the company that counts. And we have some great people along for the ride.

Today was like a three legged dog.

As I shoved my tired buns into the driver's seat this evening to go home, noticing the windshield resembling a bird shite bombing range, all was right with the world. The one name wonder "Toby," an IT guy with ReadyTalk who came to my rescue yesterday while doing a trial run of a webinar, still lingered in my brain with gratitude. I didn't accomplish all that I needed to today, but did accomplish far more than I thought I could, given the plethora of tasks.

Here's the living metaphor for my day: a 3 legged dog I discovered on Facebook.

Gropius (on Facebook):  ????? is this your new dog?

Gropius' cousin's wife:   I hope so. He is someone else's dog but hangs out at our house a lot.

Alrighty then. If you have three legs, just one shot shy of perfection, this is as good as it gets. And it's damn good.

Gropius Nonprofit Giveaway Results...Mothers Helping Mothers

And the winning comment--chosen by the Random Number Generator, my dears--is comment number 9: Mothers Helping Mothers.   This grassroots nonprofit organization offers baby items, cleaning supplies/personal hygiene products, crisis assistance, clothing from infants through teen sizes including maternity clothes, and shoes. And let me tell you, readers, there is so much need for this right now.

Thanks to Uncommon Blonde for submitting the winning comment, and thanks to you for caring enough to leave your own note about a nonprofit or cause that's dear to your heart. I've checked out the websites and suggestions you left and have loved visiting such diverse areas of charitable passions...all over the world!

If you're looking for some unusual gift ideas that really help your goodness shine, consider these two:

• Network for Good's "Good Card."  Here's how it works: you purchase a Good Card for any amount and your recipient can use it as a donation to the nonprofit(s) of their choice. VERY cool.
  
  
• Alternative Gifts International. Give a gift in honor of someone that changes a life around the world. Choose from humanitarian, environmental, health/ nutrition, women's issues projects, etc.
  

They'll both take good care of you with an e-card or a mailed card to your recipient.