Music Monday: Girl Sailor

Happy Music Monday!!! I've been in a certain kind of mood...the kind of mood that just wants to listen to The Shins all day long, every single day. Oh yeah, I'm definitely excited for March, when their new album comes out...

Anyway, after all that serious stuff from last week on the economy and politics, I thought it be nice to just enjoy this week peacefully and more lightly. And so.....are YOU READY FOR SOME WHALE TIME?????

Oh yeah, I think y'all are...

I decided to draw whales on my nails. They never fail. *badrhyming*

Whale you be my friend??? (I promise whale puns get better with time!...riiiiight...)

And last but not least....since it IS Monday, after all...

How can it NOT be a great Monday when there is a whale by my side??

Anyway, I hope y'all have a had a great start of this new week! Can y'all believe it's almost February!? I'm ready to fall in love again! <3 :)

P.S. Yes, I'm ready to fall in love again, I can't let myself forget how good it feels to be in love, even if the ending might be unforgivingly painful.

P.P.S. I finally got a new car...Well, it's a Jeep, and it's exactly the one I wanted...I'll talk about it later this week!!! :D

Tidbits Tackles: Romney, Taxes and Obama

Wow. Did y'all watch the State of the Union address last night? It's kind of funny (you'll see why by the end of this post) how things work out. Being at my new job has given me the pleasure of becoming more informed about our current events (more or less, regarding mainly the economy and politics---HEY, baby steps is what it's all about). Ok, so yesterday, when I read an article on the Wall Street Journal about Mitt Romney's release of tax information, I felt the need to input my own tidbit on it. I wrote a ~~very~~ rough draft of it. Here's how it went:

~~~Today, Mitt Romney's tax information has been disclosed. According to a WSJ article, Romney's effective tax rate is 14%, on an income of $21.7 million, after his tax-deductible charitable contributions and other sources of income have been taken into consideration.

Romney's taxes paid totaled around $3 million, which is a lot...IF you think about the amount as a number, not as a percentage of his total income. When I read and found out the total amount in taxes Romney paid versus the percentage of the whole---how the numbers look different "aesthetically"---I suspected immediately that his campaign would focus on the dollar amount rather than on the percentage. Let's face it: $3 million looks way BIGGER than 14% at first glance. And according to Romney spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom, it seems very likely that they will focus on the dollar amount paid (oh, and definitely on the charitable contributions)---rather than on the tax rate itself---to make Mitt Romney even more presentable and appealing to the nation.

I wasn't very surprised by his tax rate or anything---we all expected it (Krugman), even Mr. Romney himself had given a roundabout estimate of 15%---and I don't mind that the tax rate I pay, even if it may be higher than his. But I do have a question---and I'm hoping a lot of curious minds want to know too: why has Romney only agreed to show two years' worth of tax information? I don't wanna sound like I'm nosy or in disbelief, but how do we know that Mr. Romney didn't just (and Krugman says it best) sanitize "his portfolio in preparation for his presidential run?"

Let it be known, the reason I'm talking about Romney and his taxes is not because I envy his wealth and success---believe me, if I had as much money as Mr. Romney does, I'd still be asking the same questions---but I really do believe in that saying "with great power comes great responsibility," and in a perfect world, the wealthier folk feel it is their civic duty and responsibility to contribute more proportionately back to their nation for the better of mankind.~~~

Yes, that had been my original intention for this post. That last paragraph, I know, Spiderman comes to mind when I say that phrase, but, I don't think I was far off from what President Obama expressed last night. Jared Bernstein provides a nice summary of President Obama's address last night, and I especially love the excerpt from the SOTU that Bernstein posted:

"We don't begrudge financial success in this country. We admire it. When Americans talk about folks like me paying my fair share of taxes, it's not because they envy the rich. It's because they understand that when I get tax breaks I don't need and the country can't afford, it either adds to the deficit, or somebody else has to make up the difference---like a senior on a fixed income; or a student trying to get through school; or a family trying to make ends meet. That's not right. Americans know it's not right. They know that this generation's success is only possible because past generations felt a responsibility to each other, and to their country's future, and they know our way of life will only endure if we feel the same sense of shared responsibility."

Well said, President Obama. Below is the entire SOTU, the "enhanced" version. Watch it if you'd like.

And with that, I guess I'll be quiet on this subject, for now. If you have anything you'd like to say in response, please feel free to, but let's keep it reasonable---no attacks necessary. And by no means am I implying that I'm good at this whole current events/Economics/politics thing. From time to time, I'll post "Tidbits Tackles" segments: I'm attempting to tackle various subjects. I'm definitely open to others' points of view. (Oh, and btw, Tackles has an -s because I'm using it as a noun, not a verb, in the title. {That was bothering me.})

Note: Photo of Mitt Romney courtesy of the National Center for Policy Analysis (NCPA) photostream on Flickr.

Music Monday: Midnight City

Happy Music Monday!!! You know, because I look forward to posting a different song every Monday, I don't really hate the beginning of the week anymore...Maybe---just MAYBE---you feel the same??? (That's asking for too much, I know, but I can dream, right?)

Speaking of dream, the song above, Midnight City by M83, has been teasing me for the last couple of months. The first time I heard this song (the tiiii - tiiii - tiii - tii part at the beginning of the song in particular), I didn't get the name of either artist or song. And let me tell you: not knowing the name of the song is one of the biggest frustrations in my life---seriously, it drives me insane. Well! The point I'm trying to make in relating the whole "dream-talk" to this song is precisely this: Midnight City makes it easier for me to float away into my dreamland, be it bedtime slumber or daydream. Close your eyes and listen.

Speaking of dream (again), I've been meaning to talk about a dream I had a couple of weeks ago. You know those really strange dreams, in which you're doing something, and then suddenly, you're doing another completely different something? Here's my dream...it involves Benedict Arnold, a boat, and a crime scene---I know, it sounds like the beginning of a bad joke...but really, it was just the oddest dream I've had in a while.

Let me just retell it here.

First, I remember I was at a really old house (like those from the late 1800s) in the present day---it was apparently a museum of sorts, with historical figures preserved indoors. One of those historical figures was Benedict Arnold, and I remember it was our (I don't quite remember who was with me in the dream, there were quite a few of us) duty to keep the historical figures indoors. They had come to life, you see, I guess you could say they were zombies, but they didn't look very "dead." Well, Benedict Arnold wanted to go outside, and I remember leaving my older sister FEBE at the front door, and I told her, "Don't let him out!" I ran across the street and looked back: FEBE was holding a screendoor closed while Benedict Arnold was trying to escape; because FEBE's arms were extended upwards, Mr. Arnold proceeded to tickle FEBE until it seemed like she was surrendering the door to him.

SUDDENLY, I found myself on a white, rustic rowboat, without paddles, and I was trying to float away in it. The boat kept getting smaller and smaller, and water started flowing onto the boat; I could feel the waves push me along the shore.

AND THEN, I started going up some stairs and as I found the outdoors, I realized I had just exited a subway station in New York. {Interestingly enough, I do recall exiting from that very station during my trip in October last year.} Anyway, as I walked toward the public---where the people were---I stumbled upon a fresh crime scene. And as I got closer to the crime scene, everything became black and white, and I felt like I was in film noir.

Then I woke up! I've come to the conclusion that there were, in fact, three distinct dreams, but due to my being human, I forgot the beginnings/endings of each and just jumbled all three together. I also like to imagine that I really do travel and see these things (well, maybe not the Benedict Arnold part), some sort of parallel universe, perhaps? I dunno. What I do know, with utmost certainty, is that I love to dream, and I look forward to sleep every night because of it.

Time Out!

Lately, I've been feeling down. Not because of nostalgia or heartache, but because of the current state of the nation. (I dare not even think too much about the entire world, I wouldn't want to get out of bed if I did so!)


It hurts me.


...


Last evening I watched the Republican debate in South Carolina. Wow. Words cannot describe what I felt. And I didn't even watch the entire thing. You might be wondering, "What's the big deal? Debates always happen as we creep closer and closer to an election." Yes, that is quite true. And I don't mind the candidates debating about pro-life/pro-choice, war, and healthcare. But being a student of Economics, I do mind that they talk nonsense about what is best for our economy and for our people.


This is no time for budget cuts. This is no time to talk about keeping tax rates just the way they are or giving out tax breaks to those who don't need them. Maybe I'm a little biased, but don't we all need to agree that our economy is the biggest issue right now? And if this is true, then why can't we all agree to make a real, long-term plan that will ensure solid recovery?

Maybe I'm not making any sense. I guess what I'm really trying to say is: can we all just take a TIME OUT and figure things out? Without attacking one another (individually and political-party-wise)? This is the perfect time to come together and start over. But we can't really do that if we're all stuck at the most superficial level---attacking others' beliefs and appearance, and claiming to be the "best choice" to "beat Obama."

Who cares if you can beat President Obama? Can you fix our nation? That's my question.

...no answer? That's what I thought.

I really do apologize for my rant. I do not claim to be politically savvy or better than a Republican or a Democrat. And I do not claim that I am an awesome arguer. (Is arguer even a word?) But perhaps, my lack of structure reflects my frustration. Please tell me I'm not the only frustrated soul out there.

Music Monday: Home

Happy Music Monday, my dear friends!

It's been a pretty relaxing weekend, and today wasn't so shabby either. I was going to write about some serious stuff this weekend, but on further reflection, I decided to wait till later this week. Today let's accept that life doesn't always go the way we want it to go; it's okay for things to wind us around and around a few times. It's okay for us to take the scenic route in getting our goals accomplished.

On a side note, since it is, after all, Music Monday, I came across this little song on my Pandora station for The Airborne Toxic Event. Enjoy the home-y feeling that arises with this song by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros. :) Till next time!

Maybe I'm a Little Crazy...Crazy for Citrus Videos

Good evening Tidbit Friends!

Hey y'all, it's Friday, how about we have some fun?!

Fun, you say??? Oh yeah, totally. I present to you tonight something a little...fresh. I should probably say the following statement first: a while ago, Cuties clementines posted a stop motion video of a little clementine being unpeeled. I was won over by the citrus cuteness. (Man, talking about little citrus fruit makes me feel dumb, vocabulary-wise.) Anyway, I decided to look for that same video this evening on YouTube, and I found it.

I also found more and more videos with stop motion citrus. Aw gee, prepare yourselves for the CITRUS CUTENESS.

You thought that one was cute? Wait till you see this little gem:

I like this third video because it goes forwards. And then it R-E-W-I-N-D-S!!

Ok, these last two videos include non-citrus fruit, but they are still pretty cool. This fourth one has a KNIFE involved.

And this last one...they MORPH.

You know, these videos, though kind of weird, are adorable. And yup, I probably allocated an hour or so unwisely, but really??? How often do you come across STOP MOTION CITRUS?? Well then, I hope you actually watched these videos---if you didn't, I suggest you scroll back up and enjoy every single one. You're missing out big time if you don't watch even after my suggestion.

Anyway, enjoy your evening. I'll go back to a more serious post later this weekend, maybe? Yeah, I think so. :)

Collage

Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday. How is everybody doing!? You know, earlier today, when I was at work, I was actually working on a rough draft for today's Teeny Tiny Tidbit. Why, you ask? Well, because there have just been so many things on my mind lately, and I don't know which thing to write about first: Candyman, Paul Krugman, the Republican candidate showdowns, strange dreams, and last (but most certainly not least), more tales on the fine treasures I keep finding at work.

{Yowza! (lolol) the letter W sure let its presence be known in that paragraph!}

Since it is Wednesday, I guess I'll take the wacky way out of this overwhelmingly underwhelming predicament and share the newest treasures I've stumbled upon at work. You know, in my rough draft, I clearly remember writing, "...being at this new job has allowed me to appreciate the little oddities in life a lot more." Upon further reflection, I think I've always been appreciative of such things---the only difference now is that I document my findings more freely. I like this liberty.

Without further ado, may I present first....THE HORSE PEN:

This horse has some attitude. "NO FEAR."

The funnier part of this finding is that my older sister, who also works at this office, is terrified of horses....due to some unfortunate---ahem---beastly video...On another unfortunate note, while this pen is amazing, the ink has dried out, so I can't enjoy using it all day long. Sadness :'(

Also, for my entire "working" life, I have had to deal with and enjoy THIRTY-minute lunch breaks. I used to daydream about the day when I would have an HOUR-long lunch, and it seemed so strange to me, you know? Well, let me tell you, ONE-HOUR lunch breaks are the BEST thing ever. Oh yeah, not only do I have time to eat my meal peacefully, carefully, and in a timely manner (oh god, have I got to tell you guys about my eating habits and mannerisms...but at a later date!), but I also have time to venture outside and do as I please! The other day my sister and I went to Target (in Rowlett, by the way, I'd never been there before), and I found some really cheap, pretty adorable, rubber stamps and ink...Now, I don't really need stamps at work, but you never know...I like self-encouragement.

My cheap rubber stamp set.

My cheap rubber stamp set at work---in both senses of the word.

Near the end of last week, I also got to do just about the most exciting thing ever: I got to refill the candy bowl that goes in the middle of the waiting area table. Here's the thing, it's a large, glossy, ceramic bowl, and when I encountered it, the poor bowl was bare! I found out where the candy reserves are kept, and found not just red peppermints, but green ones as well! OMG. That's your reaction, right? This was my reaction: (-_-). Yes, that face. I didn't go to college for nothing, you know, so I put my degree to good use and made the bowl stand out with what resources I had available. And so, behold, the perfect combination of red and green peppermints. I call it: ILLUSION OF CHOICE. I hope you know why my work of art bears that name.

True Story: EVERYBODY who waits in that waiting area actually takes candy from that bowl. They didn't before.

You're probably asking, what else could top all these amazing happenings? Brace yourself. If you feel overwhelmed right at this very moment from so much AWESOMENESS, you might want to breathe deeply five times and then scroll down for the finale...

...Are you....RELAXed?????

I swear to you, I am NOT making this up. Totally real.

A note to add to the above postcard---yes, it was indeed a postcard---the back of it stated the following pun: "When you're ready to seal the deal, contact {MEHNEMEH real estate agent}!" Ohhhhh, goodness. And I found this in decade-old sheet protectors! Oh, but that wasn't the only genius postcard I found, here's another terrific one:

You heard this postcard: STOP FEEDING THE RENT MONSTER!

Now, don't think I waste time at work. Believe me, I pounce on all assignments, but since it is January, this is supposedly---and definitely apparently---the slowest time of the year. I guess I should embrace it while I can!

Well, this has been quite a long post, and I intentionally made the pictures above huge, so y'all could enjoy them...to the MAX. I could totally be one of those postcard creators. I hope y'all have been enjoying January (and your jobs, classes, activities, etc.) as much as I have. One more thing, when I got off work today and stepped on out, I was greeted by the late afternoon blue Texas sky. A little unseasonable weather, yes, but I love days like today.

Gorgeous.

Alright, I'll tackle POLITICS, Krugman, and Candyman (my favorite horror movie of all time), in the next few posts, ok? Good night! :)

Music Monday: Death and All His Friends

Happy Music Monday, everyone!

It's been quite a first week of January. Sister's car accident on January 1st, first week at new job, finished my yoga special, met with friends, and then found out my poor car was indeed a total loss. Yeah, surprisingly, I don't feel (and haven't felt) overwhelmed by any of this.

And another thing: I feel great, with respect to the former-love-of-my-life. You know, first, it was kind of hard to not think about the time we shared together, and I felt rancor toward him and his new love. But today...I'm no longer lamenting things that could have been. Things happen. I feel no sadness, no fear, no anger. And no regrets.

Treasure Island---I mean, Desk

Today was my second day at my new job, and let me tell you, it's a whole lot easier than my previous job. The only thing I've really had to get used to is answering the phone on the first ring. (Down with phones!!!)

I'll get to the good part of this story. Today, redundantly, my second day, I decided to clean out my desk---I know, my desk!---and I found a few little treasures amongst the dust bunnies and scary wires. Ok, so I only found two treasures: cute paper clips and a trashcan figurine with pigeons.

Cute paper clips, you ask? Yes, adorable, colorful plastic paper clips, shaped like isosceles triangles. I found them in a glass jar by accident. I don't know how this jar got there, but judging by the nice thick blanket of dust embracing it, this jar had been in the dark corner of the desk for a long, long time. I opened the jar, thinking it was just full of big, ugly rubber bands, poured the contents out and guess what came out?

Cute triangle paper clips!

You're probably thinking, what could possibly be more awesome than adorable paper clips? Well, let me show you.

Yes, it is what you think it is.

Who makes this? Don't think this was the only small-scale trashcan (with pigeons) I found---I mean, it literally was the only trashcan, but I also uncovered little "Homies" (i.e. "cholos," "gangstas," etc. lolol). I'm not lying, they really do exist, but I preferred my little trashcan with pigeons figurine over any of those mini human renditions.

See, they do exist!

So yeah, today was a pretty productive day, what with the cleaning of my desk and the discovery of the treasure. I felt like an explorer, really, uncovering things left behind by previous owners of this desk. I myself am not one to leave things behind, but if I do, I hope the next owner of this desk will have the same curious spirit and discover the new treasures. (That mini trashcan is coming with me though!)

Now, I really must go to bed. Yoga has been intense, and I need to rest up. Good night!

Music Monday: O Valencia!

Happy 2012, everyone! :)

To start off this wonderful year correctly, I'm gonna share my favorite song by The Decemberists...Now, I'm not sure if I've shared it before in the "Songs In My Head" section of teenytinytidbits, but here it is: O Valencia!

I hope y'all have a great first week!

P.S. My poor car, Panchis, is currently ill. He was involved in a car accident while my sister drove home from work, and now...I'm still not sure if it's gonna be a total loss or if we can save him. What a way to start the year, right? At least we can listen to some good music!