[not always right to read]

I found a new website (well, new to me) that I can't stop reading! I have my regular places to visit while taking short breaks at work, like I Can Has Cheezburger, Engadget and autobloggreen. But, now all I can do is read Not Always Right, anecdotes about customers who are definitely not right. It may be because I lived these experiences that helps me enjoy the site so much.

[exhairiment]

I tried a little experiment this week. Apparently, you're not supposed to wash your hair everyday. And, if you don't wash it for a month, the oils actually build up to the point where your hair is balanced and manageable, as if you washed it. Apparently.

That is not for me. I wash and condition my hair every day, just as I shower every day. I can't stand the feeling of myself nor my hair if I am not cleaned on a daily basis. But, I tried to shake that a little bit this week.

We have Garnier Fructis Anti-Frizz Serum for the girls. They both have a lot of hair, but it's fine (especially Hannah's) and they usually have a lot of fly-aways. We use this in their hair instead of product and it gives it a nice shine and controls the fly-aways. Monday morning I decided to try it in my hair instead of product. Well, that is product, I guess. But, it's not gel or mousse or pomade (which I usually use).

I like my hair to be under control, but I don't like it to be stiff nor sticky. So, I don't really like product. I don't mind pomade, since it's not stiff, but it also doesn't feel good in my hair. (I run my fingers through my hair a lot during the day.)

The serum is great! My hair had shine and was in control without being locked into place. It did feel a bit oily, but I think that's because I used too much of it.

On Tuesday, I woke up to find my hair still very much in place, rather that crazy bedhead hair. So, I though it the perfect time to try to go without shampooing. I figured I'd make it as long as I could without shampooing to see what happens. It took an hour and I already was unhappy about not washing my hair. Unfortunately, by that time I was at work and couldn't do anything about it. My hair was in place, yes, but it had no life, no oomph. It was boring and greasy.

So today, I wash it. And tomorrow and the next day, too!

[door closed]

I did not get the position with One Iowa.

I discovered this when I received an e-mail (I'm on their e-mail list) with a link to One Iowa's redesigned website. While looking through it, I checked out the "Contact Us" section, which now lists a Communications Director, the position for which I interviewed. I'm very disappointed. I really, really wanted that position. One Iowa didn't give me a second interview, as I was told would happen at the end of our first interview. One Iowa didn't even let me know I was out of the running, nor that the position was filled. The organization didn't even respond to my e-mails following the first interview. I'm hurt and disappointed.

But, I also hold no hard feelings. I believe in One Iowa and I'm happy the organization was able to find a Communications Director. If I'm not right for the position, then I'm not right for the position. I believe I would've excelled in it, but I trust the staff of One Iowa know's best. I still will back One Iowa and take part in any way I am able to take part, providing whatever assistance I can provide.

So, that path is closed and I'm on to looking toward a different future, whether it be in my current position or in something else that crosses my current path.

[home body]

This week, I had Monday and Tuesday off. Matt did not. It doesn't usually happen that way, as we try to both take the same day off to enjoy it together. Not so this week. I'd planned to use the days to do some much needed cleaning up of the landscaping, so it didn't matter all that much.

Only, it did. Those two days gave me a taste of what could be. I've long said I'd prefer to be a stay at home partner. I'd spend my time making sure our home is clean and in order and the yard impeccable. Then, that is all in theory. Now, it's a possibility.

Thanks to my two days off at home alone, I now know I could fill my days with house- and yardwork, having leisurely days in which I accomplish much. And, I'd really enjoy it! That's the life I crave. I want to make a happy, peaceful and worry-less home for Matt, which could best be done if I were home all of the time to make it happen.

Matt once told me I could quit and stay at home if his salary increases to $300,000 a year. He said that half jokingly. He later reduced that amount, saying it would be feasible if he made six figures. I'm really hoping for a promotion and a raise for him. I really, really am. For my sake.

[well, it's my birthday, too]

A few updates on this, my birthday.

I'm now 34 years old.

Birthdays now feel little different than other days, except it brings a smile to my face to see so many birthday messages on my Facebook profile!

I have today and tomorrow off (comp days from Golf Week) and planned to use them to finish landscaping the backyard. Problem, though. It's storming outside, which means it'll be too wet to do anything today. I guess for my birthday I'll be cleaning the house instead. Not nearly as pleasurable and peace-inducing to me.

As expected, the News Director was fired a week and a half ago. She was tipped off, which is why she cleaned out her office earlier. While she is the first person I've truly hated since junior high, I have no desire to dance on her grave. Yes, the newsroom is a far better place without her, with good morale now and renewed energy to produce a stellar product. And, yes, I think it best she was removed from the station. However, she is a person with feelings and with a young child at home, so, I feel for her. She is gone and there's no reason to dwell on the past.

[on the coffee wagon]

I've never been a coffee drinker. Well, never until recently.

Several years ago, I was a professional actor in Chicago. Professional in that I acted, but earned an income from a job off the stage. That job -- a coffee shop barista. That's normal. But, what wasn't normal was the fact I didn't drink coffee. I worked in a coffee shop, made coffee and espresso drinks, but wouldn't touch the stuff. Having a mother who, at one time, drank a pot of coffee a day, I feared getting addicted. So, I refrained from joining the millions of Americans who started their day with a coffee caffeine jolt. I was a supplier, but not a user.

A couple of years ago, I started missing making espresso drinks. So, for Christmas I asked for and received a home espresso machine. It's an inexpensive, nothing fancy Mr. Coffee espresso maker, but it does the job. But, what was I to do, making espresso drinks? Someone had to drink them. Daily. And, the steam wand and pitcher, by size and limitations, forced me to steam enough milk for two drinks. Physically, they wouldn't allow me to steam less. Thus, one dark chocolate mocha or sugar-free cinnamon dolce latte for me and one for Matt!

The problem was, Matt would only drink half of his. On a good day. And, being raised to finish everything on my plate, I couldn't let his drink go to waste. So, at minimum, I was drinking one and a half mochas or lattes a day.

We recently switched to having a fruit smoothies (with real fruit) each morning, after I perfected the technique of making them in a cheap blender. But, I found I was sluggish and not quite myself. Why would that be? I'll tell you after I have this latte I'm making.

[i like being green]

It's true. Despite no environmental awareness in my upbringing, I am passionate about protecting our planet. I turn off lights at home, only using lights in the room we're using at the time. I recycle. I drive a fuel efficient Toyota Echo. We have an electric lawnmower. We compost. We use recycled toilet paper so as not to unnecessarily destroy virgin trees. Basically, if there's something green we can do at home, we do it.

I was recently wondering why I'm so into being green. My parents didn't pass it on to me. Nothing in my college experience encouraged it. So, why am I green? I think it's because its a chance for me to learn and to make a difference at the same time. I am fascinated while watching the new cable network Planet Green. I could watch it all day! Why? Because I'm learning new things, things that I can do to make a difference with my life.

My last name may be White, but my color is green.