Good 'Ole Green Bay

"I'm SOOOOOOOOOO bored with Green Bay. Just so bored with it. Bored."
Alright. That's not the best way to impress a gal on a first date - by calling her home "boring."

"Really?" I asked. "I actually like it here."
"Well, tell me what you like about it."
So I told him, and by the time I was done, he agreed with me.

You want to know what I'm sick and tired of? People ripping on my home!
I get it, and I understand. Green Bay is not Chicago. It is not Madison. It is not Milwaukee. And it's not the flawless, smoke-free city of Appleton, either.

It's Green Bay. It's meat and potatoes. It's Packers football. It's toilet paper and the pollution that goes along with it. It's blue collar. It's conservative. It's Republican. It's backwards at times, with its aldermen making asinine comments in public. It's bars with lots of smokers. It's disgusting. It's lacking in big museums and big department stores and lots of sushi restaurants.
In some ways, it's a lot of things I'm not.
It's definitely not perfect.

But you know what? I love it anyway. And I always will.

I love that on a Sunday afternoon I can hear the roaring crowd over at Lambeau Field. I love that I can take my dog for a walk and feel safe. I love that someone with my salary can afford to own a home, because that's not the case in every city. I love that our tallest building is a hospital downtown. I love that people are friendly, and that neighbors will help neighbors. I love that the media during football games portray it as living in the North Pole, even though that's not the case - we have summers! I love that people consider cars slowing up on Hwy. 41 as rush-hour traffic.

I love Bay Beach, even though the bay is too gross to even dip a toenail into. I love the Weidner Center. I love the libraries. I love the Packers. I love Brett Favre. I love the beer and brats. I love the Mexican eateries sprouting up all over the place. I love Kroll's hamburgers. I love Escapades margaritas. I love a good fish fry at The Settlement. I love that some women still tight roll their jeans and have 80s bangs. I love that I can still spot a mullet once in awhile.

If people are that bored or unhappy here, they can move to a bigger city with more class, culture and a cosmopolitan feel. It's that simple. No one is forcing the naysayers to stay. And if I need to leave dodge for awhile, I do.
But you know what? I'm always ready to come back. I always miss it.

People complain about the lack of diversity. I hate to say it, but we are all diverse. Diversity is made up of so many more factors than origin and skin color. And if you're still not convinced, visit the East side of town or take a stroll through the public schools. We are not lacking in diversity.

When I was at the "International" Austin Straubel airport last week, I overheard a young Giants fan talking on the phone. "You gotta come here, man. No....I'm serious. The next time the Giants play here, you gotta come. It's a lot of fun."

He was right, even if he was a Giants fan. It's fun. It's a good city. It is what it is.
It's perfect for me.

And just for the record - I don't like sushi, anyway.

V is Back

Just when I thought "Vince" was out of the picture, he wants to meet for dinner this week. I guess we are meeting on Wednesday night. Who knows? It might be fun!

I Miss My "Pretty Girl"

Tomorrow I get back from Orlando, and I miss Kelly more than I missed my luggage on Tuesday afternoon.

Kelly is staying at my parents' house, and although she is fine and probably very happy, I miss her dearly. I miss her sleeping and trying to snuggle with me at night. I miss her licking my face so I wake up in the morning. I miss her being pesty when I get home from work. I miss getting up from the couch only to find dog hair on my pants. I even miss bundling up at 6 am in the freezing cold temps so I can take her for a walk.

She means the world to me. I can't wait to see her tomorrow.

I Don't Want a Nice Guy

That's right - you heard me.
I don't want a nice guy.

I need one. I demand one. I deserve one.

When in the history of "womankind" was a "nice guy" a bonus?
"Bonuses" are things like having a full set of teeth or not going bald at the age of 27.

It shouldn't be a bonus. It shouldn't be the icing on the cake. It shouldn't be the burger and fries and we'll throw in the side salad for free.

It's a necessity. The last time I checked with my single female friends, they weren't actually seeking jerks. Who wants to date a jerk? Hopefully no one.

I've looked at enough online profile files throughout the years, and it seems like "nice guy" is the big catchphrase.
Nice guy looking for Nice Girl.
I'm just a regular, nice guy.
Nice Girl Needed to Befriend Nice Guy.

That's fine and dandy and all, but I, and I hope my friends, would want more than just a nice guy. Nice girls deserve nice guys, just as nice guys deserve nice girls.

I don't want a nice guy.

It Arrived

My luggage is here! My luggage is here!
Hooray! No more shampooing my hair with dish soap. No more shopping for cheap shirts at Wal-Mart. In fact, some I will even return. No more walking around in public without make-up and relying on my "natural" looks. No more granny panties! No more just sticking my feet in the hot tub. I can actually go in! No more looking like white trash with a black bra and white t-shirt.

I never thought I would be so happy to see my luggage!
Hip, hip....Hooray!!

For everything else...

Three-pack of Hanes Granny Panties: $6
White, ugly, "Florida" t-shirt from Wal-greens (which looks stellar over my black bra): $6.50
Black flip flops: $2.50
Black capri pants, tank top, beige bra, white t-shirt from Wal-Mart: $26
Soap, toothbrush and lotion: $5
Grateful that skin is remotely clear and acne-free on a day without a make-up bag: $0
Non-shampooed hair in over 24 hours: kind of gross
Arriving in Orlando 6 hours late (@ 2:30 am), sans luggage: pain in the butt


Sitting by the pool, sipping a summer hummer, reading a magazine in 70-degree weather:

PRICELESS.

Oh well...

Watching that game last night was painful. We had our chances (too many), but just didn't bring our A-game.
I don't think the Giants are the better team, but last night they sure were. So in that case, they deserved to move on.

It's a bummer, but life goes on. It really is only a game.

The Pack does have a lot to be proud of this season, and they accomplished a lot for being the youngest team in the NFL. Who would've thought they would've made it this far in the first place?

Thanks for another great season of memories, Packers!

Crazy Couple Weeks

On Thursday I completed my first HOLA! (Hispanic Outreach Library Action) Project, that took place in Wausau. It went very well! But because of the storm, I didn't get back into town until Friday. Tomorrow I leave for a week-long tech conference in Orlando, which I do not mind one bit with these cold temps now here. But it's made for a crazy time!

Go Pack Go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Go Pack Go!

What an AMAZING weekend of football!
Saturday's game was awesome, but I think the Giants winning last night was even better. I can't believe the NFC Championship will be played at Lambeau! We had a GREAT time tailgating at the Lambeaulance (although I paid for it yesterday a little bit).

The buzz is in the air, and the whole town just feels so electric.
I truly love football season!

Giving up on "Grey's"

Yup, you heard me. I'm giving up.

In the first season, I watched "Grey's Anatomy" because it followed "Desperate Housewives." I liked it enough to keep watching it.
In season two, I liked it a lot, and enjoyed it more than DH.
In season three, I still liked it enough that I followed it to its new Thursday night time slot.
In season four, I'm to the point where I'll watch something else. The Office. Something on CBS. Anything.

I haven't been as faithful of a viewer this season, I will admit, but I'm just tired of it.
I'm tired of Meredith and McDreamy and their will-they-won't-they-get-together thing they have going on. Enough already.
I'm tired of Meredith being mean to her half-sister, Lexie, although last night she was nice and made her breakfast.
I'm tired of George eavesdropping on conversations.
I'm tired of George and Izzie, not even together. I am not fond of either of them.
I'm tired of Izzie and Christina's constant spats (when did these two start hating each other anyway?).
I'm tired of seeing Callie feel hurt and loathing in self pity. Her character and acting skills are not being utilized to its fullest potential.
I'm tired of Alex always being a jerk.
I'm tired of Bailey not being as tough as she used to be.

I miss Addison. I miss Burke. I miss the story lines that kept me coming back for more each week.
There's just nothing there to keep me coming back.

She Found Me!

I opened my inbox this morning to find a wonderful surprise!
My college friend, Amy, sent me an email, asking if she had the right address. She sent me a Christmas card LAST year, and being the dum-dum that I am, I lost the card, which also contained her new email, address and phone number. She got married in the fall of 2006 and moved with her husband to Columbus, IN - a city of about 40,000 about 45 minutes south of Indianapolis. I didn't make it to her wedding, and the Christmas card was the last I had heard from her.

Until now! I've missed her very much, so hopefully we can start reconnecting.
Yay!

Rain

Rain go away, come again some other day!

I will take the warmer temps, though. :)

Things to NOT Say to the Single Gal in Her 30s (and Probably Beyond...)

1) It's his loss.
Oh, really? Then why am I the one who feels like a pile of doo-doo????

2) If it's not meant to be, it's not meant to be.
Then will someone please enlighten me on what IS meant to be?

3) Oh well, at least you're putting yourself out there. I give you credit for trying.
Do I get a Popsicle or gold star for at least trying?

4) Why aren't you married yet?
Geez, I dunno. Why don't we ask the single, greater-Green Bay male population?

5) Is that grey hair?
Yes, thanks for noticing. Are you expecting, or did you just eat too much peanut brittle over the Holidays?

6) Auntie Jamie, why don't you have any kids?
Because I'd like to be married first.

7) Auntie Jamie, well then why aren't you married?
See # 4.

8) You're too picky.
Well you know what? I'm smart, funny, sassy, educated, independent, ambitious, well-traveled, fun and devastatingly attractive, so sue me and my big butt for not wanting or waiting for the same!

9) I would set you up with _____, but I like you too much, and you're too good for him.
Wait a minute...I thought I was too picky? Now I'm TOO good?

10) You can't be single forever, Jamie.
Actually, I can.

11) You should consider trying ________
a) speed dating
b) dating websites
c) meeting men through a church group

a) been there
b) done that
c) single men don't go to church