God Bless America (and the 4th of July)

Not too many people know that my favorite holiday is the 4th of July. No joke. I have guilt about Christmas (the whole Jewish heritage thing), our turkey is always a disappointment at Thanksgiving (and I don’t know why because my mom is an awesome cook) and my birthday has yet to be recognized as a national or municipal holiday yet (I feel this will involve an assassination and I am not interested in going out like that). Luckily, in the beginning of the summer we can celebrate our nation’s birthday. The Fourth of July is the perfect holiday for these reasons:

1) It is warm and you can usually get a tan. I really messed mine up at the beach so I needed two pool days to correct the damage (I can’t sure won’t cure cancer but I’m awesome at tanning).
2) All fruits and vegetables (especially tomatoes) are in season-perfect for platters and platters of yummy goodness.
3) You can get really drunk and gorge yourself and no one will judge you because they’re all doing the same thing. This year, I ate so much that I couldn’t get drunk. The food kept soaking up the alcohol. Ready to hit the gym hard this week.
4) FIREWORKS (Mego says she wants to get married on the 4th so she can have a fire works display for her wedding-all potential suitors please note this)
5) Finding the perfect red, white and blue outfit (I don’t like Halloween and won’t dress for the occasion but I spend hours thinking about and shopping for the perfect outfit). This year I even had a red and blue bikini b/c I spent most of the day on the lake or in the pool.
6) You don’t have to be at work and if it falls on the weekend, you usually get a bonus day off. That is, unless you are Ashley and you have to cover Fourth of July celebrations for a local TV station (shameless plug for my BFE who is a local TV reporter for the #1 station)
7) A renewed sense of patriotism in all citizens (even if it is for a day). The one day we can all unite under one flag and the same colors to celebrate something together. No mention of anything troubling just love for the good old U-S-of-A. A few years ago I asked my friends to tell me their favorite thing about being an American and they all said ‘freedom’. I agree 100%. My second favorite is Macy*s 1-Day sales.
8) Did I mention that I ate like a cow?

Hope everyone had a safe and happy 4th of July and is re-entering reality safely.

Thoughts from the road

(I’m not actually writing this on the road because I don’t have a smart phone and I don’t want to die nor kill/ maim those around me)

If you didn’t know, I live in Atlanta and have for most of my life (save 4 years in Athens for college and my stint at the folks in East Cobb, which is in the metro area). In 2008, The A was named the #1 worst city for traffic (we are also #1 in crime behind Memphis). I now spend an average of an hour and twenty minutes commuting on a daily basis. Besides cussing at the idiot drivers around me (because of course it is always their fault and not mine) and chatting on my sweet Razor phone, I like to think. My thoughts are not meant to solve problems like world hunger or crime (perhaps I should focus on this for the sake of Atlanta and Memphis) instead, they are meant to entertain (even if it is only me). Here are a few things that I have mulled over while staring at the license plate of a commuter in front of me:

• Really, the state of Georgia has to issue University of Florida plates? I really hope that are charging those jean shorts, mullet wearing yahoos more than anyone else. I hope UF has a big scandal this year. They are due for one. I hope it involves Steve Spurrier and that knocks out two at once. I hate the color orange. Except those orange shoes I have. What can I wear those shoes with? Gators suck!!
• What would my job in hell be (just trying to be prepared)? I have thought through this one long and hard and it would be tasting mayonnaise for an eternity while listening to Frank Sinatra. My friend Mary Beth said she would be next to me chewing pink or cinnamon bubble gum while listening to Bonnie Raitt (I wonder if her position next to me would be a punishment too, hmmm?). Apparently, in hell you have to do product tasting and get your own personal headset while doing it. This is a fun game to play and I would like to know what your personal job in hell would be (just in case you get bad news from St. Pete).
• If only I had a helicopter…wait, where would I land it? Well, I would just need a big flat roof to land it on or perhaps a nice big open field. Of course everywhere in the Atlanta area is so overbuilt that I will need the rooftop landing. Wonder if you can just land your personal helicopter on just any roof or if I need a permit. I bet a helicopter landing permit would be expensive. Oh well, I’m rich (duh-because I can afford a helicopter) I’ll get someone to worry about that for me.

This entire stream of insanity happened one day when I was stuck in gridlock on I-85N on my way to the Olive Garden. I waited tables there through college and had to drive 50 miles one way because there are NO jobs in Athens. At the time, I drove a 1985 Toyota Corolla with no A/C, manual windows and an automatic sunroof (heck yea). Did I ever mention that I went to UGA from 2000 to 2004? Thinking about my riches and helicopter were very much not a reality; however, much more fun than staring at the car in front of me.

I now challenge you to think about complete nonsense in the car as opposed to what you are having for dinner, how much money you owe on your Macys card or why you didn’t do one more set of crunches. Life is measured in deeds (or in my case nonsensical thoughts) and not years (stuck in gridlock).

Return The Merren

My friend Katy has inspired me to start blogging again. Not only through her own commitment to her impressive blogs (that’s right, she has at least 2 blogs-that I know of) but also through her persistent reminding (ahem-nagging). Occasionally, I will get an email that goes something like this:

From: Katy Beck Mallory [mailto:katy.mallory@gmail.com]
Sent: Too many times to count
To: Merren,Julia E Subject: blog

You need to blog!!

— Katy Beck Mallory

After reading several of her blogs and a few that she follows, I have finally found a purpose for this blog. Expect me to ramble on about my favorite things: food, fashion, people I know and the city I live in.

As many of you who know me, you know I love a deal. I will bore/ excite you with stories of my great fashion and food finds. Who knows, I may even include a picture or seven?

You may also know that I will find any excuse to not work so I am currently writing this blog at work. Hooray for the 4th of July. Also expect the long promised blog on the detox foot pads and that does have pictures.

Oh here are Katy’s blogs and an awesome one that she has introduced me to.
http://lifefulfilledatlanta.blogspot.com/, http://katystreamsherconsciousness.blogspot.com
http://www.lovemaegan.com,

Role Models

Since I was a child people have always asked me who my role model was. I always found this a difficult question to answer. There are so many woman that I admire including: my mom, Sarah Palin (don't judge-the announcement of her VP candidacy was a big day for Republican women), Wendy Babchin, Lynn Setliff and Ann Hathaway. I'll leave men out of this discussion because who wants to be a dude? Some of these woman I have met and others I have not but I feel that they have inspired me in some way and I wish to emulate them. Of course, I still need to maintain my own identity so I am inspired by this woman but don't desire to 100% mimic them.

To every yin, there is a yang. For so many woman that I admire there are double that I don't. I like to refer to these as the "anti-role model." They remind me how to not live my life. We all know these women and understand the "role" they play in our lives. I feel these characters are a greater inspiration to me than any one else. In my first 5 years, I have met my fair share of very unhappy people who enjoy nothing more than inflicting their misery on others. These woman have succeeded in bringing me down to their level on a number of occasions but they can't keep me there. I just won't let them.

It is shocking to me how hard women have fought to be equal in the world and yet we continue to be our own worst enemies. I keep these women as a fond reminder of who I don't want to become. It is hard sometimes to not be influenced by them; however, I remind myself of how awesome I am and miserable they are. My boss told me never to make winners out of losers so I won't start with them

Jeopary-25 years of making people feel stupid

One of my favorite weekly activities is watching Jeopardy at 7:30 and getting no more than 15% of the answers correct. I realized today that Alex Trebek must really enjoy reading the cards because he isn't even smart enough to know all the trivia he tests his contestants on.

This got me thinking that if Alex ever retired and I was to take over, the show would be much different. First, I would get rid of that stupid rule to answer in the form of a question. Next I would have much more entertaining categories. Here is a sampling of what could be:

Jeopardy:

Things that rhyme with Slinky

The Periodic Table

Types of vodka

5th grade Physical Education

Harry Potter

Double Jeopardy:

Corporate logos

SEC football teams

Fabric care

Pizza Toppings

Movies with Nicholas Cage

Final Jeopary: Masonic Orders

What would your categories be? Ole Trebek will have retire someday and what will you do if they call you to be the next host? I'll be ready

Because Pictures are Fun

Patrick and me

Our kitties. Slinky is the tabby and GG is the one who looks pissed off

Only true friends will fall on the floor when you do

How Georgia Girls spend Saturdays

Me and the roomie who loves champange more than I do. So much that she steals it from others at weddings

Blogging: what the cool kids are doing

In an attempt to be as cool as my friends (which by association with them, I am already succeeding) I have decided to start a blog. Not sure how long I will stay dedicated to this experiment but there is no harm in trying. If the road to hell is paved with good (or any for that matter) intentions than it will be a glittery trip for me. Be warned, this will be a safe place for my streaming conscience. You may not agree or understand what I am blabbing about but I hope it entertains and only offends slightly.

I can't imagine anyone reading this blog who doesn't already know me but if you are a stranger here is a quick summary of me: I am a 26 year old native capital Georgian. I graduated from The University of Georgia with a BBA in Risk Management. Currently, I am an insurance underwriter for Travelers Insurance Companies. I was born into the Jewish faith but my mother later converted my brother and me to Catholicism. Since I am the only one not confused by this religious dichotomy I am affectionately known as a Cashew. Of course, there are many more nicknames for me but this one oddly makes the most sense. I watch a lot of crap television and some of my favorites include: The Office, 90210 and Rock of Love. Having favorites doesn't preclude me from watching so many more bad shows. It is kind of my thing :) Along with shopping and talking to much. Recently, I adopted a kitten who I named Slinky Mischief (there will be many blogs about her). Slinky and I have 2 roommates: Megan and Grau Grau Meow Meow (GG-roomie's cat who will also be blogged about). We all live together in a 3 bedroom, 1 bath 1950's house in Brookhaven. I have an amazing boyfriend named Patrick who I absolutely adore. I am very fortunate to live within a few miles of some of my best friends and my immediate family. Not sure what the future holds but it will probably continue right here in the Peach State.

Anyhoo, thanks in advance for entertaining me in this blogging adventure and let me know what you think.