Update To What's Hot, What's Not, and "I Challenge The Queen."

Dear all,

After further contemplation I have decided to add an addendum to the What's Hot and What's Not list:
What's Hot: Science and being a science geek in any way
Kimbra
Free ice cream anywhere, including at Jason's Deli
Not giving up
Reading an actual book
Dave Eggers
Small towns, if there is a reason for you to go there
Google Maps


What's Not: Hummers
Tank Tops With An Unmatching Bra
Looking like you tried too hard when you dressed up
The freezer
Having too many Pick-up trucks in Dallas (Includes any make or model)

My mom and I and one other person were having a discussion about how Queen Elizabeth, who is celebrating 60 years as queen, supposedly rides her horse 3 times a week. Then my mom said, "I challenge the queen to run a marathon."

What'll it be, queenie?

Have a Monday,
Alice
north dallas homegirl

The other day I posted about a t-shirt that states, "Strong is the New Skinny." The site that I mentioned in my last post is not the only place to buy the shirt.
To see Strong Is The New Skinny on facebook, click on the link. The End...

Trying To Avoid College-y Conversations. And What's Hot, What's Not

Hello all,

In my class I just started recently:
Most people are college-aged, some from different universities. During a period of down-time, everyone started chatting, some were discussing what schools they are from, some were talking about summer plans, and also other things. I am much older than these folk.
It is very interesting that college-age people have their own mannerisms, their own selection of topics to be united about, their own almost everything. I just think this is important to note!
Summing it up, I sometimes try to stay out of these conversations. If I discuss my life history with someone who is currently in college, I try to keep it very general, so as not to have an awkward conversation or maybe so I don't have to reveal that I'm not in college for the first time. Yes ... ease and simplicity works.

I have an amazing ability to blend in and appear 25, which has served me well.
I do have gray hair. It is usually not noticed, or ignored. (I had gray hair at 24, if you must know) I would be way more uncomfortable in the classes I am currently taking if I did not have this ability to blend.
I'm glad to be 35, but thinking I'm younger is not a crime.

In honor of a book I am reading by Dave Eggers, A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, which includes a brief What's Hot/What's Not list, here is my completely spontaneous list of What's Hot, and What's Not

What's Hot: Going to the YMCA or gym at your college, apartment, or workplace
Coupons and lobbying for your consumer rights
This blog
Water at 212 F
Anderson Cooper, but not his daytime TV Show
Strong Is The New Skinny T-shirts


What's Not:
Complaining about your facebook app when you are on a plane (I have heard this).
Other blogs
Fitness Clubs
Carly Rae Jepsen
Sweatpants, almost any time unless you are a mom

No music news.

The End.
Alice
north dallas homegirl

Musings From 30,000 Feet. And, Pizza Patron No Me Agrado

(Translation: Pizza Patron No Me Agrado means I Did Not Like Pizza Patron)

Hello,

While on a recent flight, I had a flight attendant named Jerry. (The best photo I could take).

During a morning flight, Jerry was lighthearted and jovial. He informed us that we were going to get "ham, eggs, and bacon," and then said, "Not really!"
I applauded his effort to mix it up and to make the flight more "fun."
But, simultaneously it was disturbing.

The ham and eggs joke was more acceptable than telling us what to do "should our flight turn into a cruise."

Near Montfort and Alpha Roads in Dallas, there is a mini grocery store called Mundo Latino. Their number is (972) 392-2145, if you need any groceries.

It caters mostly to Latinos (it has almost all Latino products), however, I talked to someone who is most likely the owner or operator, and he is from Pakistan.
I heard him speaking Spanish to some customers, and then when I asked him about it, he said, "I used to know more."
The whole Mundo Latino experience was quite interesting.


Music "News": I heard Beyonce's To The Left. Well, it is actually called Irreplaceable. A little silly, but I can't help singing along. I do not know why.

Have A Great Night, & The End,

Alice
north dallas homegirl

Here is a picture from Pizza Patron. (It is near Montfort and Alpha Roads, in Dallas). The line is extending halfway around the store because today, if you ordered in Spanish, you got a free pizza.

This is fine if you do not have to wait an hour and a half. That is what we calculated our wait would be. So we went to Pizza Hut instead.

Siri, Help Me! She Is Speaking Japanese. What Do I Do? And, Wocka Flocka Flame

Hello all,

I am not a big fan of Siri.

This is the talking feature on the iPhone 4s. Supposedly, it is an extra helpful device.
When you need to do something or find something out, you can just ask Siri (you can ask it to text or call someone...). I have not found it very helpful and have decided to not use it very much.

Today my mom asked me to ask Siri something ... it was to ask about a song; it was something that was not completely necessary. I said, "I hate Siri. It is not a good feature."
I guess she got the picture.

Also, the Siri voice on my phone is programmed to Japanese.
I am hoping I can get some actual benefit, and learn Japanese.

Music News: There is a rapper called Wocka Flocka Flame. I noticed it when I was reading the birthdays column the other day. Apparently Wocka celebrates on May 31.

Good evening. As you noticed I have deleted anything about the blogathon from the description of my blog. That is because the blogathon is over for me--it ended May 31. However, keep checking in (you can do this daily if you wish) as you don't want to miss anything.
Have a great night,

Alice
north dallas homegirl

The End Is Near ... I Mean The Blogathon. Silly. And A Correction For Big Rig Dance Collective. And, Dharun Ravi.

Dear I-Wish-I-Was-Still-Eating-A-Hot-Dog-On-Memorial-Day Reader,

I am sorry, that yesterday the link to Big Rig Dance Collective's Kickstarter.com video did not work. I stand by what I said in yesterday's blog.
Well, I do get the point of their production. Maybe it's not my thing. Here is the actual video, just in case you're longing to see.



(A serious note).
In 2010, Dharun Ravi used a webcam to spy on a tryst between his roommate and another man. The roommate committed suicide shortly after that.
Here is a link to a Los Angeles Times story. It is making news because Dharun Ravi has just issued an apology (Huh? Two years later?).
Very, very sad.

I checked for some Anderson Cooper news. I wanted to see if there was any "aftermath" to his kicking a guest who had had a lot of plastic surgery off his show. I did not find any, but I did find a link to his "sexy butt" taking out the trash. Yay, I think.

This post marks the Official End of the blogathon. In the future, I'll be posting less (Not once a month, however NOT every day). I decided to do this after my friend Gloria told me about it, and also encouraged me. Thank you, to anyone who took a chance and decided to read north dallas homegirl.

The tragic end,
Alice
north dallas homegirl

See Cathie Black's Book Basic Black, Big Rig Dance Collective (Huh?), And A Bikini Contest!

Dear all,

The quote I used in the blog 2 days ago, from Mark Twain, is from Cathie Black's book, Basic Black. It is "the essential guide for getting ahead at work (and in life)."
In case you missed it, the quote, from Mark Twain is:
Noise proves nothing. Often a hen who has merely laid an egg cackles as if she has laid an asteroid.


Bikini News (See a previous blog) : The finals of the Twin Peaks National All Star Bikini Contest are tonight at the Palladium Ballroom (1135 South Lamar) in Dallas. It started at 8 p.m. Uh... if you hurry, you can still make it.

I am a little confused about the words "All Star" in the name of the contest. Doesn't All-Star imply that contestants are some kind of Bikini Star?
How does one become a bikini all star? Do you just have to get a really great bikini?

The Big Rig Dance Collective is a group of dancers from Denton, Texas. They have a video on Kickstarter.com. Their project has been funded. I cannot for the life of me figure out the point of the production they funded on Kickstarter, "Homing Where I Roam," but that is just me.
You be the judge.

Music-related: Bob Dylan was awarded the Medal of Freedom.

I like many of his songs. Especially Positively 4th Street.
A bunch were awarded the Medal of Freedom, some living and some dead.
Dolores Huerta, who has campaigned for farm workers, also received the award.

The end. I am close to the end of the blogathon.
Alice
n.d.h.
I am going to bring the blog into the modern age.

Here is a picture I took downtown recently. It's not perfect, but that's okay. I am still including it, in honor of sharing.

Are You Supersonic Enough To Vote? Can You Dance Well In Spandex?

As a unique and exciting treat, I am re-posting the video for JJ Fad's Supersonic.


I have posted the video before, however, it's a can't miss, so I decided to post it again. You could say it's what I listened to when I was a mini-homegirl. Here is JJ Fad's Official Site. The ladies have gotten a little larger, but they are still JJ Fad.

(This is a serious note):
Today Texas is holding Primary Elections. Do not forget to vote. Here is a great site, VoteTexas.gov. Lots of information from Secretary of State Hope Andrade. And, if you haven't registered, you can still register and vote in the November elections. But you must register 30 days in advance!
Don't be a slowpoke.

The End,
Alice
north dallas homegirl

Jude Is Riding His Bike Across America, And, "Often A Hen Who Has Merely Laid An Egg Cackles As If She Has Laid an Asteroid."

Hi all,

This is Jude. He offered to re-arrange his bike so I could take a picture. I met him at the Starbucks at Preston and Alpha roads.
Jude has an animated face, blond, blond hair and lots of wristbands. He is riding his bike across America (he asks for donations along the way). It takes a lot of guts. So, go Jude!

He started in Los Angeles. He said I could put in his Facebook page, and I just found out it is his personal profile. So here is what I offer: go to Facebook, and look up "Louisianamrz." (You may have to get a Facebook account first. Silly.)
You should see Jude. Just to be on the safe side, I would say don't "friend" him unless you really are his homeboy.

Now, time for a unique segment I call, "what Mark Twain wrote.":
Mark Twain wrote, "Noise proves nothing. Often a hen who has merely laid an egg cackles as if she has laid an asteroid."

The author who included this quote in her book (it is a nameless book for now) wrote of the workplace, "when all is said and done, it's production rather than self-promotion that counts." She referred to office cacklers, saying "every workplace has its share."

My view is that the quote from Mark Twain means: noise means nothing. It is more important at times to be quiet and get your job done (or task done) than to be the loudest one in the room.
Sometimes, it is even important to shut up and listen. You have to decide when to shut up, gentle reader, that is up to you.

The End and
Happy Memorial Day,
Alice

north dallas homegirl