WOOHOO! FREE STUFF!!!

I have previously written about my addiction to magazines.

Friends, I am happy to report it has FINALLY paid off!

Glamour magazine is one of my faves! I love looking at the Do's and Don'ts - and hope that my look does not fall into the Don't category (and if I should ever see my picture with a black bar across my eyes, I will just cry - and go shopping). Anywho... every month I get an email from the "Glamspotters" asking me to complete a survey. Don't ask why, but I always do these. I did one a few weeks ago and forgot all about it.

Until today.

My doorbell rang at 12:30. I looked out the peephole and didn't see anyone, so I figured it had to be the UPS guy (he drops off packages, rings the bell, then takes off). I open the door and find a package sitting there. I wonder what I ordered (only now does the paranoid part of me think it could have been a bomb). Then, a closer look at the box shows "Glamour" on the shipping label. Now, I get excited! I open up the box and see this:Then, I move the letter, telling me to sample the products and expect an email to review them. I have never used this brand, so I'm excited to see how my hair responds to it. I won't try it during the week until I know my hair won't freak out (see this post about my newly formed hair sensitivity).

I have to go now because I need to get ready for work. I just wanted to share my exciting new title: Glamspotter!

NOTE: I read the letter from Glamour and it says I can't name the product or photograph it. Fearing I may lose my Glamspotter title, I removed the picture of the products from the post.

Lessons From A Burglar

A cat burglar who admitted to taking millions in property from LA-area home owners has agreed to tell police his secrets. He recorded a 70-minute video, giving some of the following tips to police:

• Older victims in well-kept homes were an easy mark, not so much because they were vulnerable, but because he reasoned they accumulated more expensive things.
• He sought out those who were angry and distrustful of institutions like banks, essentially the mattress-money set who he rightly bet would keep cash, precious metals or other lucrative goods within easy striking distance.
• He tried to blend in to the normal activities of a neighborhood, scouting his targets while going on walks in an expensive jogging suit. He also rehearsed his exit strategy, adhering to the rule to never panic or run when confronted.

You can read the whole story here. But your friend Nicole hopes you'll take a good look at your home and protect yourself from a crafty criminal like this guy. See? I'm helpful!

This Makes Me Sad

Everyday, I get a little email from Good Morning America. It says what's coming up on the show. So when I see this story, it makes me sad.

I LOVE MY CURLS! It took me a long time, and thousands of dollars of hair product to figure that out! That doesn't mean I don't reserve the right to straighten my hair on occasion, but you make the most of what you have. I have curls. Lots of them. To think people judge me because I leave it curly. I mean, what am I to do when it's humid and no matter what I do, it's just gonna curl up?

Jerks.

Learn More About Me

This came from Bernice: Learn 45 things about your friends, and let them learn 45 things about you!

1. Do you like blue cheese salad dressing? Sometimes

2. Have you ever smoked heroin? No illegal drugs - EVER

3. Do you own a gun? Just in case burglars or other criminals are watching me here, I'm gonna say YES and let them take their chances (BTW: My hands are certified weapons)

4. Your favorite drink at Starbucks or other specialty? Depends on my mood

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Yes. I'm always expecting to hear the word "terminal"

6. What do you think of hot dogs? I like them at times. I just don't think about what they're made of.

7. Favorite Christmas song? OOH! I LOVE Christmas! I'll go with Silent Night for the traditional. Non-traditional, I choose The Chipmunks Christmas song

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Vodka. Kidding. I think. Water is the first thing I drink in the morning.

9. Can you do push ups? If you mean correctly, then my answer is just one.

10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? I love silver hoop earrings, which is why I have several of them.

11. Favorite hobby? I like to read. I also like to write - this blog being one forum for me.

12. Do you have A.D.D.? not that a doctor has told me, but since I work in TV, there's a VERY good chance that is the case.

13. What's one trait that you hate about yourself? That I do not trust people immediately, and sometimes people take my reluctance to trust them entirely as rude.

14. Middle name? Marie

15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment? It's raining, so I want to take a nap. I'm hungry, so I should eat some lunch. I'm going to Chipotle for lunch today so I can get myself a free burrito bol this weekend.

16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? Iced tea, juice (whatever's in my fridge), soda (I'm so loving Coke Zero - product plug, send me some cases, Coca-Cola!)

17. Current worry right now? I may have to walk Charley in the rain before I leave for work

19. Favorite place to be? Hmmm...Sometimes I just like to be by myself. Sometimes I like being surrounded by friends and family.

20. How did you bring in the New Year? At home. I don't get the whole "ring in the new year" bit

21. Do you like to travel? absolutely

22. Name three people who will complete this… Surprise me

23. Do you own slippers? Yes

24. What color shirt are you wearing? blue

25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? Nope - it makes me hot

26. Can you whistle? Yes, though not very well

27. Favorite color? if you look in my closet, it's probably white (though some argue that's not a color), so I'd say blue

28. Would you be a pirate for Halloween? Like an ACTUAL pirate, robbing people? Or just for dress up? Either way, I'll say probably not. Unless there was a VERY GOOD reason.

29. What songs do you sing in the shower? Whatever's stuck in my head.

30. Favorite girl's names?

31. Favorite boy's name?

32. What's in your pocket right now? No pockets today

33. Last thing that made you laugh? Jon Stewart saying President Bush should be our mascot

34. Best bed sheets as a child? I don't think I had any theme sheets. My mom clearly did not like me. SETTLE DOWN, MOM. I'M KIDDING.

35. Worst injury you've ever had? Broken tailbone. It STILL bothers me.

36. Do you love where you live? Yes.

37. How many TVs do you have in your house? Two

38. Who is your loudest friend? Most of my friends are loud (as am I). We can all simmer down, but sometimes, we're just rowdy. And that's OK.

40. Does someone have a crush on you? Judging by my inbox, YES. Though, I think "tagged" might be messing with me.

41. What is your favorite book? Right now, I'm into the Twilight books. I've always loved To Kill A Mockingbird & Beach Music. I also love biographies (must feed my brain every now and then).

42. What is your favorite candy? Sometimes it's Sour Patch Kids, sometimes it's Twizzlers, sometimes M&Ms. I will eat them until I feel like throwing up.

43. Favorite Sports Team? Astros - even though they disappoint me

44. What were you doing 12 AM last night? Watching The Daily Show and (during commercials) reading Breaking Dawn

45. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up this morning? Why did I get a kitten? It's 5:30 in the morning. Why can't he wait until I'M awake to get hungry?

What Do You Like?

Julie posted this last night. I'm taking her up on this challenge. Like Julie, I refuse to put the songs in any sort of ranking - so this list is random.

These are the songs that I will always want with me:

Yesterday - The Beatles
Stay - U2
Freedom - George Michael
Never Tear Us Apart - INXS
Drive - The Cars
Someone Saved My Life Tonight - Elton John
Vultures - John Mayer
The World Exploded Into Love - Bob Schneider
Hello - Lionel Richie
When Doves Cry - Prince
You Are The Sunshine of My Life - Stevie Wonder

There are so many songs I just love, but I didn't want to make this post any longer. These are the ones I NEVER skip when my iPod is shuffling. Now tell me what YOU like!

Matthew McConaughey Grosses Me Out

Matthew McConaughey is weird.

I know he's nice to look at - you know, when he's walking around with his shirt off. Still, this dude is beginning to creep me out. First, I think he looks like a guy who's probably very sweaty, and since he's said he doesn't wear deodorant, he might be a little bit funky. There's also the whole naked bongo incident. But I thought he could be somewhat normal. Until I saw this interview with CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta.

GUPTA: And you kept the placenta?

MCCONAUGHEY: Yes.

GUPTA: So what's the story there?

MCCONAUGHEY: Well, it's going to be. That's fertile ground, so to speak... we're going to plant -- it's going to be in the orchards and it's going to bear some wonderful fruit.... when I was in Australia, they had a placenta tree that was on the river and it was for the women and it was the most fertile land and fertile river and all the placentas of all that tribe, all that clan, whatever aboriginal tribe that was, all the placentas went under that one tree and it was this huge behemoth of just health and strength. And this tree was just growing taller and stronger above the rest of Mother Nature around it. It was gorgeous.

It's true. People from all over the world use the placenta (ick) for all kinds of reasons. FYI, this is the second time this weekend I've thrown up a little bit in my mouth.

I Hate THIS Guy/Girl

This is from my Urban Dictionary Word of The Day:

August 09: social plagiarism

When one uses a story/saying/information/anecdote that they recieved or overheard from another individual they know and they do not cite the source. In turn, implying that they themselves are the original source of information.

Maegan tells Leann that she talked to the band about their performance date change in Santa Cruz.
Later that evening, Leann tells a group of mutual friends that the performance date has been changed, without citing/acknowledging where she originally obtained this information. In turn, implying she spoke to the band herself, which could be construed to some as lying.
Thus, Leann commited social plagiarism.

Three Reasons I Want To Be Cindy Crawford

1. That body.
2. George Clooney.
3. Bono.

When I saw these pictures in the current issue of US Weekly, I stared at it. Then I thought, "She's 42-years-old and has it all."

However, I have to wonder about that husband of hers. I mean, taking your wife on a yacht with Clooney?? Dude, either you're really confident in yourself or you don't care if Clooney runs away with your wife. Then, to have Bono around - I mean the accent, the high note, the fact that he wants to wipe your tears away - what more could you want?

So if you want to make me happy this Christmas, give me those three things. They don't have to be in that order.

I AM OLD

I'm doing my usual web surfing before lunch when I stumble upon a story that might as well tell me I need a walker.

The headline:

Who's turning 50?

Like I REALLY need the Statesman to tell me the musicians I've grown up listening to (and still have 4 and 5 star ratings on my iPod) will hit the big 5-0 this year! My thoughts on some of them:

• I've seen Madonna lately and wonder what she's done to her face, while seemingly neglecting her frightening hands. Click here for a Madge slideshow.
  
• I don't understand why Prince has become such a funhater, refusing to let fans make their own video tributes to his music on youtube.
  
• Michael Jackson, well, no matter how old the calendar says he is, we know he still thinks he's a 12-year-old boy.

Granted, I'm not even in my mid-30s (yet), but I absolutely HATE the idea of these people getting old. I know it means that soon I'll be like my mother, listening to an oldies station and talking about how things USED to be.

Way to start off my Thursday, Statesman. If you want to see who else reaches the big milestone this year, watch this.