WTF?

Like my dear departed grandma used to say, "Jesus, Mary and Joseph and all of the apostles"......

Never one to discusss politics in mixed company, today I'm not really discussing politics, rather complaining about it. This new mess that the US government is engrossed in is just that; a fricken HOLY mess. I'm totally disgusted and I feel like the baby boys who call themselves the decision makers in Washington are acting like a group of spoiled brats who are taking their toys and going home. So where does that leave us? 

I'm so concerned that yesterday I decided to watch, "Meet the Press" so I could learn something tangible to better understand how this debacle will affect my life, our economy and my business. I learned something alright, but it was of no help to me. What I learned is that the Republicans hate the Democrats, the Democrats hate the Republicans, everybody hates the President and the Tea Party hates everyone. Does any of this bullshit political posturing help anyone? Give anyone fiscal confidence? No. It serves to make investors jittery and our stock market loose points. It's bad for all of us and they know it. 

It's like the ultimate gamble and these idiots are playing a game of political "chicken" on this issue, while forsaking the outcome. For Christssake??? Where are the leaders of yester year, who threaten but then break political bread together and hammer it out. Where's good old Teddy Kennedy when you need him? I'm sure he's posturing like a madman up in heaven as we speak. 

For the love of God and all that is HOLY....get your shit together Washington! TODAY! before you ruin all the economic ground we have gained. 

Dumb Blonde?

Two bored casino dealers are waiting at the craps table. A very attractive blonde woman from South Alabama arrives and bets $20,000 on a single roll of dice. 

She says, "I hope you don’t mind, but I feel much luckier when I play topless." With that, she strips to the waist, rolls the dice, and yells, "Come on, Southern girl needs new clothes!" 

As the dice bounce and come to a stop, she jumps up and down and squeals, "Yes! Yes! I won! I won!" She hugs each of the dealers, picks up her winnings, and her clothes, and quickly departs. The dealers stare at each other dumbfounded. 

Finally, one of them asks, "What did she roll?" The other answers, "I don’t know, I thought you were watching."

http://www.laughfactory.com/jokes/blonde-jokes/9

If You Build It, They Will Come.

Sometimes I wonder if I have what it takes to be successful.

Some Days are harder than others and some days are a breeze, but if I could swap the me that appears on the easy days for the me that appears on the hard days, then maybe I'd be onto something. While it's true that the most successful people actually survive when the going gets tough, I'd like to think I would not only survive but thrive. But as I said, some days its tougher.

Things are good, but I need them to get better and I'm just now trying to figure out how to make something good into something amazing. That's the real key, isn't it? Making something from nothing and turning that something into gold. If it were that easy then I guess everyone would be doing it. I'm talking about growth. Real growth. Double digit growth and I'm just now trying to figure out just how that is accomplished. Nobody said it was going to be easy. Nothing that's worth having ever is, but the true measure of a business is how you build it and how you grow.

Never one to turn my nose up at a challenge, I press on. I read all the business manuals and I go with what I know; what I'm good at. I know there is crazy potential here, and I need to tap into that "what makes me unique" thing to survive and grow. How much of success is patience and hard work and how much is plain old luck? I'm not sure, but I can guarantee I will live or die trying.

Cuz I built it. And they are coming. The question that remains is how we get more to come and keep them coming.

WTF Friday?

  

It's Friday bloggers and I'm feeling sort of funky...

Like this lady at Wally World here. WTF is that? Really? Girlfriend, I gotta tell you that those flesh colored yoga pants are doing you no justice. A darker solid would be much more conducive to your figure and actually be slimming. Poor thing. She probably has no idea what this get up looks like from behind. I call that "naked nonsense".

Happy Friday bloggers and seriously? Try to consider what you look like both coming and going this weekend. 

A Real Beauty

Seeing how I work in the beauty industry, My Guy showed this to me because he thought I would be interested. I found more than interest here. I was amazed, inspired and pretty much blown away. The message here: we are all beautiful, whether we believe it or not. 

Homeless Hero

You are never going to believe this one..

Boston Police reported that over the weekend, a homeless man turned in a backpack he found with over $42,000.00 in cash. You read that right. There was over $42,000.00 in cash in the lost backpack. The back pack contained $2400.00 in cash and $39,500.00 in Amex Traveler's Checks.  There were also several personal papers and a Republic of China passport. The unidentified homeless man notified police that he found the backpack outside a mall in Dorchester near the TJ Maxx. 

An hour later, police were contacted by a person claiming to have lost a backpack "containing a large sum of money". The rightful owner was identified by his passport and the backpack and cash were returned to him. I, for one am amazed by the homeless man's integrity. That's not to say that homeless people have no integrity, I mean that even a well intentioned and contributing member of society would have a moral conundrum if faced with the same situation. 

Several of the homeless man's friends claim "he's got a great heart" and even though the man has nothing, he would "still give you what he's got." 

I'm still amazed. 

I mean, what would you do? 

Fan Friday

Hey bloggers! It was a tough one last night, but my boys squeaked out a win! I'm not holding out much hope for the boys in blue and silver this year this year, unless we get Gronk back and he's better than ever. Looks like My Tommy doesn't have as many targets this season. 

At The Candy Bar we were ready and raring to go yesterday, and yes that is me. That most excellent makeup was created by one of my talented staff makeup artists. 

Happy weekend bloggers! May all your teams squeak out a win!!!!

Top Five

I've been feeling a little obsessive compulsive lately. With the summer packing it's bags on the way out, fall is knocking on the door. Time for change, in all things seasonal and otherwise. These are my top five can't live withouts....at the moment.

1. Breakfast-I never eat breakfast. I repeat; I never eat breakfast, but lately I've been eating an apple with a spoonful of peanut butter in the morning. And I love it! I actually look forward to my new ritual of an apple and peanut butter. I can report that I have more energy throughout the day, too. Maybe there is some truth to the claim that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Go figure.

2. Maybelline FitMe Stick Foundation- So that a trip to Ulta with Frick could not be considered a total loss for me, I purchased the $6.99 foundation stick because I was curious. Two thumbs way up! This smooth and soft gel stick foundation glides on the skin effortlessly and leaves a gorgeous matte finish. The core of the stick is made of a lightweight, anti-shine powder. Perfect in the t zone for a combination skinned typed woman like me, I have taken to carrying this tiny stick in my purse for afternoon touch ups.

3. Boodie Bars?- The question mark is there for a reason. I bought these organic, healthy looking energy bars at the market on a whim. They were rich, "superfood" organic energy bars with a thick pasty consistency. The sugar content was low so I tried them and I FRICKEN loved them! Now I can't find them, and I'm embarrassed to admit I don't know what they are called. When I went back to the market to get more, they were gone. I had a vague idea of what the packaged looked liked and when I inquired to the manager their whereabouts, I thought he called them Boodie Bars? I also think there may be a Buddah on the package. In any case, I can't find them!! My Internet searches have come up empty and the market manager wasn't sure if they were going to order more. I'm going to make it my mission to find them.

4. Ray Donovan- Showtime's smash series is entering into its final episodes! What am I going to do?? It seems I can't get enough of the sexy, hunky Liev Schreiber and his family from Southie. There are just two episodes left and I can hardly wait. Then it will be over and I will have Ray no more. It will probably be almost a year before the show comes back for season 2 and I hope they can top this season. I guess I will have to fill my Ray Donovan void with Showtime's Homeland. As much as I love Mandy Patankin, let's face it, he's no Leiv Schreiber.

And my Number 5 Top Five favorite of the moment is:

My baby gir Frick- I know, she's off to college and that she has her own life, but I love talking to her at the end of a long day. It's not smothering if I talk to her once a day, is it? We share with each other our daily challenges and offer advice. I think it's a good thing and I'm somewhat surprised she continues to answer the phone rather than text. I'm always happy to chat with my kiddos about life's little mysteries.  As I said, I don't have all the answers, but sometimes they think I do. 

And that's good enough for me.

Wordless Wednesday....Somewhat

An Open Letter...

Dear (insert name here),

Madewell,  I love your fashions but your tops don't wash well.

Louis Vuitton, you tempt me. You are the one true entity that can separate me from my hard earned cash.

Love, You are like a drug. One hit and you keep me wanting, searching for more.

Television, we have become old friends, you and I. More so now that I am older. I seek your escape at the end of a long day and you rarely disappoint.

Wisdom, Why do you abandon me when I need you most? Is it then that you carry me? Sometimes I can't tell.

Parenting, Thanks for the gift of them. And for the constant realization that I don't have all the answers. That I am only human.

Technology, Where would we be without you?

Confidence, Don't ever leave me, ok?

Writing, Thank God for you. Where else would I put all that crap that collects inside this head?

Makeup,  I want it all. Every little bottle and compact that sends shivers down my spine. Is makeup hoarding a psychological thing?

Friendship, If I am rich in nothing else, I am wealthy in friendship. I have been blessed by the commerce of friendship. I have been burned by some and with some I have made good choices, but all the while I have learned from you. Thank you for a great human experience.

Spaghetti, I love you.

Marriage, Ya I know, I can't brag here because I have failed once before. But this time I may have gotten it right. Just saying..

Religion, Let's not start that now, ok?

Tom Ford, You are perfect.

Blogspot, Happy are those who can come to a place everyday where everybody knows their name. 

Monday Morning Joke

Two guys are out enjoying a beautiful day of golf.

One guy steps up to the tee box and sets up to take his shot. Just as he's about to swing through, a funeral precession drives by. The man stops and waits for the precession to go by and even bows his head in respect as the procession drives through.

The other guy looks to his friend and says, "Wow, that was amazing that you just did that. That was just about the classiest thing I have ever seen on a golf course."

His friend says, "Yeah, it was the least that I could do. After all, I was married to her for thirty five years."

Blow-n Away

After a long day at work, I was sitting on the sofa in front of the TV flipping through the channels. Everyone else had retired to bed. I was savoring the last few moments alone when I came across the movie Blow. I had remembered seeing the movie a while ago and remembered liking it, so I figured I'd watch on for a bit. I became mesmerized with the story again.

Blow, described as a "biopic docu-drama" based on the true life story of George Jung, a huge cocaine trafficker in the 70's and 80's, stars Johnny Depp and Penolope Cruz. Jung in his heyday, was responsible for over 85% of all of the cocaine brought into the United States. The real George Jung who more likely resembles Bella Ligosi than the handsome Johnny Depp, was a major player. The American Part of the Medellin Cartel, Jung started out selling marijuana and was smuggling huge amounts to the US in airplanes he stole from private airports in Cape Cod and other locations. He was arrested in Chicago in 1974 and was sentenced to prison where he served in Danbury, CT. His cell mate while there, Carlos Lehder, was a small time criminal with some big time connections. Upon their release, Lehder introduced Jung to the Columbian Cartel and Jung taught Lehder how to smuggle. It was then that their very profitable cocaine business began.

In the height of their cocaine reign, they were said to be making millions and millions of dollars. Jung lived a life that was enviable by even Hollywood standards and he showed it off. He married Mirtha Jung, played by Penelope Cruz, a beautiful Columbian who had a taste for cocaine and money, and they had a daughter Christina. During that height Jung charged $10,000.00 per kilogram and had 5 planes a day carrying 300 kilograms from Columbia to California. Jung would make $15 million a run. Jung needed to launder that crazy drug money , so he kept it in the National Bank of Panama City.

Then, as the saying goes, "all good things must come to an end", (it's also questionable if this was a good thing) and Jung's wealthy house of cards came tumbling down. The bank in Panama City siezed his money and his wife ratted him out to the cops during a drug-induced traffic stop that sent him to prison. While he was in prison, his wife divorced him and took away his one true love, his daughter. Upon his release, Jung allegedly tried to get clean and worked odd jobs, then decided to reconnect with his old contacts and get back into the business. He was betrayed by his old associates and was arrested for drug trafficking yet again, this time he was sentenced to 60 years.

Jung is scheduled for release in November, 2014, and here's the investing thing: at 71 years old, the guy stands a good chance of making some serious money. In some circles he is considered a celebrity and get this, he has a legitimate website. Check out georgejung.com if you are interested because I think this guy has nine lives for real.

As I said, I was captivated by this story and while doing my research, I found that I am not alone. It's a fact, according to georgejung.com, that interest in this story always spikes when the movie airs on television. To say that he's an interesting character is an understatement. Some believe him to be a legend, others see him as a criminal . I'm not quite sure what I think other than he is fascinating.

And I truly believe that this is not the end of the Goerge Jung story.

"Find A Way"

To say that I have thought of Diana Nyad maybe a handful of times in my life would be accurate. I knew that she was once a famed long distance swimmer and I knew that she had attempted some crazy-ass swim across the world a few times and failed. That's about the extent of my Diana Nyad knowledge. Today I think of Diana Nyad as an inspiration and I find myself searching for more information on the 64 year old woman. This new chapter in her story is an example of what can be accomplished if you never give up and recently I've thought of her far more than that handful of times. 

Diana Nyad accomished something she had tried and failed at 4 times before. Diana, this week, became to first person to swim from Cuba to Florida in 110 mile swim in open water, without a shark tank, in 52 hours. Talk about never say never.

Diana was already accomplished.

She spent her younger days swimming under the tutelage of Hall Of Fame coach Jack Nelson and was a decorated swimmer, winning awards and breaking records in both high school and college. In 1986 she was inducted into the United States National Women's Sports Hall of Fame and in 2003 she was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame. She has since parlayed those accomplishments into a career. Nyad is an accomplished author, journalist, entrepreneur and commentator who regularly contributes to CBS Sunday Morning. To some, her career would look to be fulfilling and complete. Another person might have just sailed off into the swimming sunset, so to speak. But Diana wanted to do that one thing she had tried and failed at. In 2011 she began forming her team and training for the 110 mile swim. The odds were stacked against her with her age and history told her the outlook wasn't so good. 

On Monday, September 2, 2013, her body dehydrated and slowly breaking down, Diana walked out from the vast ocean she had swam 110 miles in unassisted, as the person who never gave up and beat the odds. Her 64 year-old self beat her 28 year-old self in what has to be the most satisfying career highlight ever. 

Diana Nyad is an inspiration. Diana Niad is a role model. Diana Nyad is a never say never believer.

Diana Nyad is someone whom I will think about as a shining example of what can be accomplished with determination and belief. And she is someone who has moved on from a handful to going viral in my mind.

The Fixer

I've recently become hooked on this new series in Showtime called, "Ray Donovan". The show, set in LA, is based on Boston born Ray Donovan, (Liev Schreiber), a "fixer" for the rich and famous. Ray can make your problems go away, for a fee. The only problem Ray can't make go away is his own family. Mickey, Ray's father, played by an excellent Jon Voight, seems to be at the center of most of Ray's troubles.

The series opens with Mickey, fresh out of Walpole State Prison. After Mickey takes care of some "business", ie: killing a priest in his rectory apartment with a shot to the head, he heads out to LA to be with his family. Ray's brothers, Bunchy, Ted and his half brother, Daryll, the product of Mickey's one true love Claudette, own a boxing gym in LA called "The Donovan Brother's Fight Club". Ray and Mickey are at odds, and Ray hates his father with a passion. Ray is shocked Mickey has been released early from prison. We only find out bits and pieces of what has transpired between these two through the episodes, but when Ray forbids Mickey to stay away from his family, and holds a gun to his head in episode 5, we want to know more. 

The cast is excellent. Steven Bauer, of "Scarface" fame plays Ray's right hand man, and Elliot Gould plays Ezra, a rich older father figure to Ray who is somehow caught up in Ray and Mickey's bad business.  Ray's long suffering wife, Abby, holed up in Calabasas, CA in their home with their two teenaged children, makes it her mission to find out exactly what her mysterious husband does for a living. 

The show taps into that "skeleton in the closet" nerve that we all try so hard to hide, but the Donovan family skeletons aren't the run of the mill kind of skeletons. Theirs are centered around murder,drugs, lies and deceit and the writers of the series expertly reveal just enough to keep you coming back for more. After 7 episodes, I can hardly wait to see what's going to happen next, and to see if Ray can fix it. Liev Schreiber is a standout as the bad-ass Ray Donovan, and a man who I never thought I would describe as sexy. But the nastier he gets, the sexier he becomes and that in itself keeps me coming back for more. 

The show came onto my radar by recommendation, and I highly recommend it here. If you can stand to sit through some really bad Boston accents, I think you will find Ray Donovan a fix for any crime drama junkie.