Bad Juju

My karma is all funked up. I stole this rubber duck from a kid, and now my karma just can’t seem to recover.

Well stole isn’t the word I would use. I noticed that he was leaving it on the table as they were leaving and I just didn’t run after them and give it back. Let’s face it, that little brat won’t miss it any ways. All he did was shove it away.

And I needed it for my rubber duck collection… It is so cute, it is a monkey!

Ever since I stole it though, work has been so strange. We were busy Thursday day but after I took it, it slowed down and got slow for night. Then Friday day (when I wasn’t working) it was busy, but night (when I was) it wasn’t. And I got awful tips!

Universe, I am sorry that I stole that duck.

Shopaholics Anonymous

Step One: Admit that you have a problem.

Hi, my name is CJ Croll and I am a shopaholic.

I am not going to lie, I am addicted to buying shoes. You know you have a problem when you have to will yourself not to buy shoes. It is a constant struggle for me.

It is so easy for me to spend my hard-earned money on shoes. It is just a few clicks and I have a pair of TOMS in the mail. It is even harder when new TOMS come out, I want them all and I can’t have enough.

It isn’t just shoes though. I could go broke shopping. Going to Northpark on Wednesday may not have been the best idea, but it was fun either way. And I didn’t spend too much…at least that is what I keep telling myself. I did max out the amount I am aloud to take out of my checking account each day. Whoops.

Let’s face it. I needed that suit from Express. And I needed those shorts and shirt from Original Penguin. And I did love that coat at Burberry, but I didn’t have $1300 to spend on a raincoat. Maybe some day Burberry.

One of my goals in life is to be able to afford a Burberry coat. It is a good goal for a shopaholic.

Mind Reduction and Intrusion

Let me preface this post by wondering aloud: Who in their right mind thought it was a good idea for someone who has issues with their head to have to sit in an enclosed space and listen to very loud beeping for half an hour? Enjoy.

I had my first ever MRI today. The doctors just wanted to make sure that there was nothing abnormal going on inside my head on account of my migraines. It is normal procedure.

I have had enough x-rays to last me a life-time, with having such a crappy wrist, so I am not unaccustomed to medical procedures. I was not ready for what I was subjected to, however.

I hate being in enclosed spaces for too long. I need to be able to escape if I need to. I ride planes and elevators as little as I can precisely for this reason. Thirty minutes in that death contraption was not a stroll in the park. I had to keep myself sane and from shaking my counting in my head, which became very difficult when I got to the large numbers (500, etc.) and had to keep up with the ever increasing rate of the beeping—yes, I am OCD enough to have to do that.

The beeping alone was enough to drive me insane. Even with earplugs, it sounded like I was pressing my ear against a tornado siren or a fire truck siren.

And did you know that half way through they take you out then put you back in?! What was that? I thought I was finished, but no…instead I get a shot and put back into that hell hole. Sanjay (my technician) was nice enough to try and let me know everything was going smoothly…too bad I couldn’t understand a word he said with the accent and earplugs…

The good news is that even through that ordeal, I am completely fine. I only get migraines. What good news.

A Murder Mystery

Let’s talk for a second about Billy.

Billy was just adopted into a new household. He had lived a very uneventful life up until then. He was a quiet kid, always went unnoticed.

Hours after being adopted, he was murdered by the family that he was adopted into.

Billy was a betta fish. A fish whose life was cut short by the deathtrap that was my small fishtank. I was the one who killed him. It was my fault.

Taking a life is never easy, especially when it is accidental manslaughter. The unexpected death shook me to my core. Especially after the rough day I had.

I plead guilty to murder. Take me away bailiff.

On a happier note, the bottom-feeder that I bought for the large tank still lives.

To Be Determined

I have been accused of deciding whether or not I like a movie before I see it. I respectfully disagree.

I thought that I was going to love Crash; however, it only let me down. Granted, I have very much matured as a moviegoer since then, but I stand by my convictions at the time.

Valentine’s Day. I was expecting that movie to be phenomenal…it only let me down. With such an all-star cast, how was it not as good as He’s Just Not That Into You? Don’t get me wrong, I did enjoy Valentine’s Day, but I was let down by it.

Just because I know what sorts of things I like does not mean that I decide whether I like it or not prior to seeing it.

Up in the Air did, however, meet all my expectations and more. It was captivating, witty, and the acting and directing were divine. I could watch it again and again, and still enjoy the nuances of the story.

I have been waiting months to see it, so yes I was looking forward to finally being able to see it, but no I did not already decide that I liked it. Don’t let my sister try tell you otherwise.
I have just one finial thought…watch out Kristen Stewart, there is someone on the Twilight set who is actually a good actor. Actually, that’s a lie. Anna Kendrick is a great actress.

The Search for the Perfect Aquarium

My two goldfish live in crammed quarters. One would think that a two and a half gallon tank would be large enough for two small goldfish…

Well, apparently not. I found out today, after three months of owning my fish, that I should have a thirty gallon tank for the two of them to share. I would just like to point out that comparatively that is larger than the house I share with my mom and sister (when she isn’t at school).

This would explain why the two fish dirty their tank so quickly. And perhaps why I have killed three snails…

Problem 1:

I have nowhere that I can put a thirty gallon tank in my house. With something that sized, I can’t keep it by the kitchen sink where my current one is—it would take up the entire counter.

I found a decent spot in my room, but it is twenty three by twenty four inches, which is enough space for a twenty gallon tank. Unless I decide to rearrange my entire room, which is not out of the realm of possibilities at this point, then there is no way I can fit that large of a tank in my tiny living quarters.

Problem 2:

Aquariums are not as inexpensive as I would expect them to be. Not only that, but you also have to buy a stand for it, which can be quite pricey as well.

Now normally, this wouldn’t be much of an issue—I just wouldn’t be able to buy a pair of shoes this month, no biggie—except for the fact that in a month or so I will have to make a down payment for a car.

It seemed like the best gift at Christmas…I wasn’t expecting the extent to which it would affect my life…

Hot Chocolate and Charity

My journey of researching for a speech in relation to the cups of hot chocolate that I drank.

Cup 1-
I have high hopes that I will be able to find decent information on my chosen speech topic. There have to be a lot of people out there with criticisms about charity, accusations that a head of a charity is corrupt, etc. There has to be the information and I think it shouldn’t be that difficult to find.

Cup 2-
So this is going to be a little more difficult than I had originally anticipated. Crap. Only one source so far and it only has numbers. It will be a useful source, but I was hoping to be able to find more, more easily. The Urban Institute is my best resource right now; Opposing Viewpoints, you have let me down today.

Cup 2 (empty)-
I have found some information. I am not sure it is what I want or even all that relevant. Maybe I should just get another speech topic. I’ll ask my professor tonight.

Cup 3-
Charities was such a bad idea. What was I thinking? Nobody wants to shed bad light on corruption in something that should be for good. Ignorance is bliss after all...