Lately, I've become acutely aware of celebrity product endorsement.  Jennifer Aniston carrying her "Smartwater" everywhere...I don't think Tiger Woods leaves home without a Nike "Swoosh" somewhere on his body....it's everywhere.  Here in the Chicago radio market, we've been listening to these amazingly dreamy commericals for Michigan, voiced by Tim Allen.  I gotta say, I think it's his best work.  Every time one of those radio commercials begin, and the soft sweet background music begins, Tim Allen has me wanting to pack my bags and move there.  Close your eyes, crank  up the volume and have a listen:

http://www.michigan.org/Topics/Pure-Michigan-Ads/Default.aspx?TM&q=115&g=5

MMmmmm.....heavenly.  I really need to go to Michigan.  I swear, those commericals are travel crack.  Anyhoo....

Another radio ad recently playing is Matthew McConaughey for "BEEF" (as in, red, rare, medium rare, or however you like it.)  I guess his Texas roots naturally brought him this endorsement...it seems very fitting...but it's this ad, and the recent picture of Jessica Simpson and her t-shirt that got me really thinking. 

We very much tend to relate aspects of the product to the celebrity endorsing them.  Matteo is manly, meaty, grunt grunt, right?...from the tough guy cowboy state!  Jennifer Aniston must be healthy....and smart...she drinks bottled water to keep her figure looking slim and fit....right?  And Jessica....well, she's talking about food, right?  ....There are hundreds of celebrity endorsements out there casting an image onto the celebrity, and vice versa.  Sometimes in a good light...sometimes....not.  Howie Long for Chevy.  Beyonce for L'Oreal.  Kirstie Alley for Jenny Craig.  Celine Dion for Crysler.  Justin Timberlake and McDonalds. Chuck Norris and the Total Gym.  George Foreman and his Grills.  And of course, Suzanne Summers and the Thighmaster....  The list goes on and on.

So my question for all of you is this:    If you were to endorse a single product already out there, what would it be?  Why? What would it say about you?

....I don't want to go to heaven.  I want to go over the Rainbow Bridge.

Those who are familiar with the Rainbow Bridge, I extend my heart to you, because likely, you are familiar with it because you've lost a beloved pet.  For those who aren't, here's the gist:

http://rainbowsbridge.com/Poem.htm

(Warning:  if you are an animal lover, don't read this in the company of others, it is gauranteed to make you sob uncontrollably.)

Anyhoo, yesterday, my mom and I were discussing death.  LOL, yeah, I know but we were debating pro's and cons of the different types of post-mortem permenance:  casket in the ground, casket in the wall, and cremation, being the main three.

I have always been pro-cremation....I don't want to take up space...plus, it's much more "green"....the amount of formaldehyde they pump into you after you die to keep you from rotting and stinking long enough for a funeral is NOT something that needs to go into the ground.  I digress....

So I said to my mom, "I want to go where my dog Butkus went," - (Butkus was killed by coyotes last year, and Animal Control found him and cremated his remains before I even could get my hands on what was left of him....)

My mom said, "You want to go over the Rainbow Bridge???"  She was trying to be funny, but I paused.

Hmmm.  Yes.  Actually, yes, I do want to go over the Rainbow Bridge when I die.  I don't want to go to "Heaven", which is theoretically full of people.  I don't really much like people.  People are mean, selfish, rude, insensitive and really don't generally give a crap about me.  I much would rather go to a place full of loved pets....frolicking in a beautiful fields, swimming in a crystal clear lakes, napping in a perfect patch of sunlight....yes, I would rather go find my former pets, curl up with them, and stay there for eternity, never bothered or hurt by people again.  To me, that indeed sounds like heaven.

Perhaps I should be concerned with myself and immediately find a therapist.  But nah.  I'm just going to sit here and be in my happy place, thinking about afterlife over the Rainbow Bridge.  Save me a spot, Butkus!!! (and Lucas, and Corky and Squeaky and Sonic....and all the fish I ever owned......including Zach, the SuperFantasticalMegaloMagical Betta Fish....) 

I am perplexed about something.  While I completely understand (and agree) that the debts incurred during the primary presidential campaign of Hillary Clinton need to be addressed and reduced with the help of the Democratic National Committee and democratic supporters everywhere, I suddenly stop short when it comes to the money Hillary "lent" her own campaign.

If I was a Hillary supporter (which I would have been, had she won the nomination) and had contributed money like I have to the Obama campaign, I would want to know why I can't have my own money back as well, if Hillary is entitled to a refund of hers.

Campaign finance is a tricky thing, for sure.  Candidates ask for non-refundable contributions to their campaigns from the American citizens they promise to represent, protect and lead.... but are allowed to "loan" themselves as much money as they think they need, with a good chance that money will be returned to them.  Anyone see a double standard here?  I am investing my own hard earned money in a candidate, and they classify it as a contribution, an investment I basically lose when my candidate is not elected.  But when a candidate invests their own money - not as a contribution, but a LOAN, and fails to clinch the nomination - they get their money back?  It doesn't seem very fair that we the people have only the option to invest in the equity of the candidate, while the candidate him/herself gets a payable recorded in their name.....and not to open a can of worms, but I just wonder what kind of interest rate Hillary charged on her "loan"......

Basically, this formula assumes that loans to campaigns are legal, assuming the loans are repaid by contribution dollars.  So any candidate can go out, secure a billion dollars in loans for their campaigns, and if they lose, they have to suck their party dry for reimbursement?  How is this sensible?  And no wonder our country is financially in the toilet - maybe someone needs to start electing CPA's to congress, because clearly, our government has no clue about debits and credits....

Why do I not have the "loan" option?  Just curious here.  I'm not saying the democratic party shouldn't rally together, financially help out the former Clinton campaign, and join hands to get their nominee elected, but come on - it's just another example where politicians are able to protect their own - and the American People end up paying for it.  Literally.

***edit***...this just in, which actually has me applauding Clinton...although it still doesn't excuse the system...

In a fundraising appeal this morning, Hillary C linton explicitly stated that she is not looking for donations to cover the $12.5 million she loaned her own campaign.

"As you know, I had to loan money to my campaign at critical moments, C linton writes. I'm not asking for anyone's help to pay that back. That was my investment and my commitment because I believe so deeply in our cause.  But I do need your help paying the debts we accrued to others over the course of this campaign, she continues. "

According to the Social Security Administration, Jennifer was the number one girl's name for FIFTEEN consecutive years, between 1970 and 1984. There were 9 "Jennifer's" in my third grade class of approximately 50 girls. Freshman year in high school, my homeroom had four Jennifer's in it. And one casual trip through my cell phone directory will net you over 17 (yes, seventeen) Jennifer's. Thanks to it's commonality, I really am not fond of my first name. There's simply too many of us. Needless to say, originality was important to me when it came to naming my son, although I didn't want to curse him with too oddball of a forename . My love of Ireland, a branch of his genealogical roots, and the fact that his father and I were married in County Clare made my decision to name him Declan very easy.

Every once in a while, I get someone who has never heard the name, or needs help pronouncing it. But once they've heard it, they notice it...they remember it. It's a good solid name. It's a handsome name.

Today, on the way home in the car, he told me that he really would like to change his name to "Larry."

What are your thoughts on your own name?

ENGLISH!!!

We're due for a "NOW & THEN" entry.....so here ya go, a nugget for Friday!

Remember the 80's movie "Weird Science"?  You know, when Anthony Michael Hall and his best friend create the perfect woman (Kelly LeBrock) using their computer and a barbie doll? Right.  Classic and awesome.

Well, Ilan Mitchell-Smith, who played Wyatt....is now a professor of Medieval Studies at a University.  I always thought he was adoreable.  And perhaps I should be a little disturbed with myself that I find the whole educated smarty pants teacher thingy kinda hot.  Beard's gotta go, tho.

WHOOHOOO WYATT!!!

Then:

Now:

Ah, so fun to get old.  Not.

Trivia:  Both Robert Downy Jr. (who looks about 15 in it) and Bill Paxon had HILARIOUS roles in this movie.  If you are one of the young-uns out there who hasn't seen this classic yet, Netflix it and enjoy!!!

So I need to find an extra source of income.  And I've been playing with the idea of killing to birds with one stone - clearing out my basement "junk" and selling it on ebay.  Now, I've been a loyal ebay buyer for years - but other than a quick attempt to unload my former engagement ring after the divorce (which, resulted in identifying several fraudulent "buyers" and tainting me a bit in the process), I've yet to jump into that end of things.

So I'm looking for input.  Have you sold things on ebay?  Often?  Easy?  Thoughts?  Etc?  Feedback, that's what I'm looking for.

Ebay has so many "brand new" items - which are not the kind of things I would be selling.  I have used, in VERY good condition items, but still....I think I hesitate for that reason. Tell me what you think....

ALSO - Thanks to all for the input on my last purgy email.  It helps.  I think I know deep down what needs to be done, I guess I really just don't want to admit it up on the surface yet.   So, true to my personality, I'll just ignore it a bit longer.  LOL. 

Ladies and gents, I need some of your wise imput.

I realize that we all are different;  we are all raised by different parents and families with different emphasis on different values and different practices.  We live in different environments with different friends and different circumstances.  Sometimes there are similarities.  Sometimes, we are worlds apart from each other in thought processes or life situations.

But the one thing I think most people are generally in sync with is common courtesy.  Most people out there do grasp this concept and generally believe in it, unless they've been particularly wronged by a party, in which case, perhaps their "right" to common courtesy is withdrawn.

Here's the thing tho.

Why can I not seem to get common courtesy from my own boyfriend sometimes?

Let me lay out the situation for you, and maybe you can explain to me what I am not getting.

I work.  He works.

I work in an office...one that is generally aflutter with activity.  I sit at a desk all day, and while I frequent the gym at lunch, sometimes I go out with my coworkers....like today, since it's a gorgeous 75 degrees and sunny.

His job has him working offsite - he travels to client locations all day, which sometimes allows for a bit more flexibility, but he does indeed have a busy job and his days are often full.  Because he travels the local area so much, he often eats on the run....and rarely has the opportunity (or desire, I believe) to check in with coworkers for a group lunch.

Now, he knows I work out.  He know what time I usually run to lunch, if I take one.  He would often call me around this time - and sometimes, I would not hear the cell phone...either because the restaurant  I was in is too loud or I was in the gym working out.  Or, sometimes, I would not answer the phone - because if I am in a conversation with my coworkers, particularly about work, I just consider it rude to suddenly take a call that I know is just a "check in - hi how are ya" call from my boyfriend, who I figure I can call back as soon as I get back to the office.

He has gotten upset that I do not answer my phone when he calls (regardless if I call him back shortly thereafter).  He says its rude to HIM that I don't answer the phone or have it on me.  He actually got so upset about this, he stopped calling me during the day for some time, saying he wouldn't bother "bothering" me if I was so busy having lunch with my coworkers or not carrying my phone.  I chalked it up to him being too sensitive.  But since then, I've made sure my phone was on me (other than when on the treadmill) and I've actually gone against my better judgement and the ettiquette I was raised with - and answer my phone if I'm at lunch.  He still almost never calls me during the day anymore tho.

ANYHOO, today he called me while I was out with coworkers again.   By the time I dug my phone out of my purse to answer it, I had missed the call.  After taking a minute to pay my portion of the bill, I called him right back, and got his voicemail.  He then called ME back 10 mins later -  just as we were all getting back to the office.  First, he seemed irritated I was not at the gym working out. (Read - making me feel like he thinks I am fat and should go work out.) Then, he wanted to know WHY I went and WHY we went there (Olive Garden). (Read - interrogation session?) Then when I asked him about his day, he said it was ok, and cut the converstation short, "You know what, I'll talk to you later."  Click.

What exactly did I do so wrong here?  Why was I being given attitude?  I have dated this guy for almost 5 years.  I have never cheated on him or given him any reason to think I would.  In fact, I tell him I love him all the time and I have yet to hear him say that out loud to me.  If anyone has reason to be insecure, it would be me. 

Am I being unreasonable?  I feel like he expects me to sit and be at his beck and call.  I feel like I cannot go for a simple lunch with coworkers without it being questioned suspiciously.  And what happens is he acts like he did and then I come back to work, sick to my stomach because I feel like he's upset with me for something I have no clue to what it is about.   I've talked to him about this before....and he just didn't seem to see my point.  He in his mind sees nothing wrong with his actions, and everything wrong with mine.

Seriously, am I missing something here?

Weeeeelll....sorry subscribers.  If you've made it this far, you are far too loyal.  If you did make it this far, I'd love your opinion.  Be honest.  LOL, I won't axe you if you disagree with me.  I am just trying to understand why we think so seriously differenly about this......*sigh*

Other than a whiny post about my BF, I've wimped out and been answering the featured questions instead of using my brain and writing something worthwhile.  Of course, I am still uninspired.

I did call the BF yesterday.  He returned the call later that night.  Happy Happy Joy Joy Converstaion.  *grin*

I've been very preoccupied with a weight loss goal and is in part why I've been so absent here.  However, I'm on track to finally be in the shape I've wanted to - and a half marathon may insue at the end of this summer.  I'm also seriously considering making an eventual career change into the health and fitness field.  However, that is a long term project because you just don't go from tax accountant to certified health and nutrition expert.  Particularly in salary.  So, the slow process begins.  I've taken a look at what courses I require and hope to start them in the fall, if I can figure out what to do with my little guy one night a week.  Baby steps.  I'm still digging out from under the credit mess the divorce caused 5 years ago, and while the pile is a short stack now, it's not completely gone.

Well, there you have it, a totally lame post.  Alright, i am going to brain storm and come back with something brilliant and thought provoking soon.  I promise.

I miss my boyfriend.  Not only because he's away in Vegas with a buddy gambling his heart out all week, but because absence makes the heart forget all those annoying little things that drive you nuts (in the bad way) about each other. 

We've been on each others nerves lately.  For a variety of reasons, some ridiculous, some reasonable.  It's part of relationships and what happens when you've been with someone a long time.  Something odd has been happening with me lately tho - I am starting to realize that it's actually not all his fault.  LOL.

It's dawned on me that I've become so afraid of having a bad relationship, that I'm doing things unconsciously that are actually harming the relationship - because while I'm in "scaredy cat" mode, I am actually cheating our relationship out of a healthy existence.  I am sending mixed signals.  (I know guys, you can say it: we girls do this all the time, but I fear recently, my mixed messages look more like the Davinci Code than just contradiction...)

BF is a great guy.  He's got some issues (who doesn't?) that he probably should address on his own, but generally, he's a solid, incredible guy.  He's smart, funny, independent, manly the tradition sense (total fix-it man, can hold his drink, and reaches for the bill when it arrives), but not insensitive, he's good to his parents, he's loyal to his friends, and he's amazingly delicious to look at.  He's a total package.  Yeah, he has mood swings like a woman sometimes and road rage to the degree he needs therapy, but all in all, he's as close to "a catch" as they come.

And yet, I can still find ways to unconciously sabatoge us.  So many of my actions to AVOID causing problems actually do the exact opposite.  I'd love to say it's just those innate differences and miscommunications between men and women, but I think I've surpassed even that generalization.

For example:  I am so afraid of calling him and "bugging" him while he is on his "boys" week in Vegas than I haven't called him at all.  I've realized yesterday that he may now think I'm not even thinking about him since I am not calling, when that isn't the case at all.  First I think I'm overanalyzing this type of thing....until I later find out he assumed I didn't really care and an argument insues.  Ahhh, the joys of miscommunication and misperception.

I've become insecure in my own skin - even after all these years and enough relationships to know better.  And while I know that he could have his moments of insecurity just like me, I still see him as stonger, wiser, more aloof and less scared of losing me, than I am of losing him. 

Why is it that some of the best intentions result in the worst misinterpretations?  Can we even avoid it?  And why am I still afriad to "bug" him to tell him I miss him?  Silly silly me.

Growing up, my father used to always say to me, "Don't hate so much!"  Of course, like most children, I completely ignored his advice.  And on this one, I continue to....lol....

5) Ignorance (by choice)....i.e., racism in our country.

4) Filing.  Yeah.  The office kind.  File folder, binder, paper....my person vision of hell.

3) People who still think Bush is a great president.

2) Being told the ending to a movie I haven't seen yet.

1) Giving up my son every other weekend.

I just answered this Featured Question, you can answer it too!

Happy Friday, Peoples!!