Thursday, July 3, 2014

What if Jewel gave blood while eating a Subway sandwich while blogging about it?

Its 5:08 am

  Running on fumes as I had a rugged day getting only 2 hours of sleep the past 24....and I am no Jack Bauer.

(Jim Davis)

  Like to thank everyone who came and supported my first Blog Hop...so many kind comments,really warms my heart. I do think that some folks either couldn't grasp the reason behind my writing or they were on cruise control in dropping a comment...it left me a little flustered. But overall it,it was a positive experience and I hope Tiffany and Brad will follow through and do a blog hop as well. Lisa gets a pass because its rather hard trying to write during a chemotherapy cycle. I know which chemo she is on and its not a very pleasant ride..
Maybe with her permission,I can do a blog hop in her name and post it on here.


  Its 11:42 pm

   Still working on my newest "8 Questions with....." interview,its going to be slightly larger then the normal sized ones as this person has a lot to say and I want to provide the space for them. Its one of the advantages  of doing interviews in a blog,one is having someone not only write their own answers but also being able to be flexible in the size of the interview.
   This will be the biggest "name" interview I have done here on this blog so I am wanting to do everything correctly,it could lead to more heavyweights actually agreeing to talk with me on here and I would really like that to happen. With this interview,I am hoping it will open the doors to that.


   While out promoting my blog,I have stumbled across a weird trend...people are now getting products from companies to push their goods. Bloggers are becoming paid hacks to tell us how awesome some companies new products are. They have disclaimers up stating they have been paid or been a product for free to write about it. Now I can understand doing this maybe on a 1-2 times a month but on a daily basis? That is not writing nor is it blogging. I am only mentioning this because on some blogging PR groups,we are encouraged to share our blog while visiting others and dropping a comment as well. It just seems all of a sudden I am reading more about how company's new diaper is catching 89% more poop then last year's diaper or how exciting that the new shoelaces they got from someone not only will help keep your shoes on but in a pinch,can be used to defuse a nuclear bomb.

(Adam Sandler in "Happy Gilmore")

  I find myself trying to relate to this and coming up short,I am supposed to be supporting other writers/bloggers but feel like I am in a Adam Sandler movie (Adam's films are the king of product placement)
reading about stuff I will never try. I think there can be a happy balance between writing about products and writing about things that really matter to you,places you have been and how cute your kids,husband,wife,cat are in your daily life.
   Am I being a bit too harsh or do I have a legitimate complaint? I welcome your feedback both pro and con.

   Lately I have been on a serious Jewel kick,listening to her greatest hits album while I have been blogging as of late. I don't know how to explain this other then suddenly her voice speaks to me. This happens to me when I listen to a handful of artists like Barbara Manning,Sarah Brightman,Penelope Houston,Dave Alvin and as late,Paramore.
   So it was pretty sad to sign on and see that she and Ty Murray are divorcing...quite shocking actually as many (including myself) thought that was a til death do us part type of marriage. Maybe she got tired of staying on the ranch,she still has a lot music in her and I just couldn't see her fade away to small concert tours and an a TV appearance here and there. Jewel just needs to go back to listening to her voice...it was maddening watching others trying to twist her into a sexy pop singer and then reshape her as a country singer
  She needs to forget the imaging part and trust in her songwriting which as always been her strength as a artist,not her figure or trying to please everyone except herself.
  I am sorry for both Ty and her because on paper,it really seemed quite a good match...

Today I had a appointment to give my 5th pint of blood. I drove to the Red Cross donation site and checked in. I had drank a ton of water as they always ask you to do so after I checked in,I had to use the restroom(because once you get hooked up,you are hooked up) and then get my blood tested.
Lo and behold,my hemoglobin was too low....I don't eat a lot of red meat but I do take a multi-vitamin every day so I was a little confused why it would be low....turns out when I switched from coffee to tea,that tea absorbs the iron and lowers your hemoglobin. Oh I still drink coffee but its more as a treat now then everyday. With my sleep already shot to ribbons,tea is a better way to go for me...unless I want to donate blood. The nurse suggested "no tea" for a week before donating,that seems logical and so the Red Cross calls me back,I will be ready.


  I have a new Pink Hat mission for July. I am asking you all to collect any books/novels that you have read and calling a local hospital,senior center,hospice or VA center to donate them. I recently had a chance to donate a large bag of books that I got in turn from someone else. The books are going to a large church parking lot sale. I decided that would be a good idea for a mission and so July that is what I am doing and I am hoping some of you will join me on this.
To learn more about the Pink Hat,click the link here to see the history behind the missions.






Well that is it for me,sorry its a bit of a short entry....but I will try and do better next time...

Oh....before I go, it seems like a very sweet woman who has supported many people through her various acts of kindness,once again stepped into the breach when she saw a woman in distress.  I first met Michelle Ball through our mutual friendship with the two Amys...journalist Amy Lange and Amy Neilson,who was fighting recurrent breast cancer.
   When Lori got sick with her own uterine cancer,Michelle extended her kindness and friendship to me as well,talking with me and supporting my family at Lori's funeral.
I had a chance to return some of that kindness when Michelle's beloved dog crossed the Rainbow Bridge and we chatted on the phone.
So when I saw this story about Michelle, I wasn't surprised at all by it because it was so her. She is an amazing young lady who helped a lot women through the years.

Only kindness matters


If you are on Twitter,follow me sweater monkeys or perish at @Jinzo_2400

Next entry up will be guest blogger Alexandria Ingham.


Shout outs

Miguel Diaz - Thanks for the refreshing talk,we may not see eye to eye but at least we listened to each other.
Barb - thank you again!
Sue - and thank you as well. That was a nice treat tonight.
Cheryl - I was going to write about your friend but I am going to wait...hoping Jerry and you have a nice vacation!
USA Today - San Jose State at No.76? I think we can do better and outside Auburn,we can win every game.
Lisa Adams - Light and love to you.
Dominic - We need to kidnap Rome for a SyFy Creature movie marathon!
Dollar Tree - About time you had a DVD sale! I was running lowish on Dollar Tree Theater flicks
Angie H - Happy birthday again detective!
Tiffany and Brad - Hope you will do the blog hop!
Derek Jeter- All Star.....yep,that is about right!
















59 comments:

  1. Wow, You have so much on your mind. You are doing so much and giving blood, wow wow wow. I've always wanted to give blood, but couldn't because of the weight issue. However, that is such a terrific thing your doing. Myself, I'm a Veteran and thank you for that book donation and all the good things your doing. Great job, and thank you very much. I hope you have a wonderful 4th of July.

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    1. Thank you first for your service to our country...and second for leaving such a nice comment. The Pink Hat Missions are very important to me,its just my way of honoring my wife.

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  2. I have to agree with you about the company marketing ploys on blogs. It's intrusive and a waste of my time. Companies are figuring out that people aren't paying attention to their ads on tv, radio, or print and they are trying anything they can to interrupt us. Problem is, it's only making most of us less happy and less likely to buy. At least that's my opinion.

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    1. Thanks Don,I have noticed in the comments,many feel like you and I. I really have not nothing to say about 80% of the stuff these guys are pushing and feel hamstrung by being required to comment in order to be able to stay in the blogging group.

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  3. I agree with your sentiments on blogger product reviews. I feel blogs are meant to be an outlet for personal expression, not just another corporate mouthpiece. And while I understand there necessity to some extent I too see it as a tad out of hand.

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    1. Thank you Cory and I totally agree with you....

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  4. I myself do half and half, I blog about products and also about our family life. Good for you for donating blood. =)

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    1. and thank you for sharing your family with us,you seem like a real gentle spirit.

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  5. Trying to balance life, kids, house and business it gets kinda crazy.

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    1. Its never easy...but I bet you find a lot of fun in your balancing act...

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  6. I'm new to the blogging world and have found it hard at times to figure out what I should blog about. I hope as I evolve I will find a balance between personal, reviews, business, news, etc...

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    1. Whatever you decide on,Julie....just write from your heart!

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  7. I really relate to your thoughts about blogging groups and having sites that are all reviews. There are so many that just aren't pertinent to me- like you, I'm not interested in diapers. Its hard to comment on posts like that. I totally agree as well that its not blogging if you are 100% reviews!

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    1. Thank you Samantha....I may slip in a quick review of something but its never sponsored,more often then not,its a tongue in cheek review of a low budget DVD I have picked up from Dollar Tree or Wal-Mart.

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  8. I gave platelettes once, and want to do it again.. I have not gotten involved with a blog hop yet, but i do want to try it out once..

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    1. I was totally surprised by my selection by Paula,many of you are so new to my blog that I didn't think my writing had time to make a impression on anyone yet...please,if you do get picked for one,send me a link!

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  9. Every morning I feel like I could relate to that Garfield picture.

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    1. I hope its not every morning! if it is,you need more coffee in your life

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  10. I Don't Know But TOOO MUCH OF ANYTHING IN MY OPINION IS NO GOOD!! I Will ONLY Promote Items I Believe In Not Just Post About Anything Just To Make A Buck THAT'S WHY I'M BROKE LOL BUt I Know In The Long Run It Will Pay Off So I'm Happy With That!

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    1. Agreed...shilling just for a buck is not writing or a blog,its just something I rather not see or support.

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  11. I can't give blood because I'm severely anemic. Glad others can though. You had a lot on your mind though.

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    1. Yes,I always have a lot on my mind it seems these days...but thank you for commenting.

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  12. Blogging is when a blogger maintains his/her own voice while seamless promoting brands that their demographic is or would be interested in. Purely review is not blogging.

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    1. Agreed....I have seen too many blogs push SEO placement over quality in terms of writing content. We have to balance it,imo

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  13. Sounds like you have quite a lot going on. Here's hoping that things slow down soon.

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    1. I rather things pick up! I don't do nearly enough it seems with my time *s*

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  14. Wow you have a very busy week. I was on 4 hours of sleep the other day and couldn't function. Don't know how you do it.

    Michelle F.

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  15. I can appreciate that there are all sorts of different blogs out there. Doesn't bother me when people are strictly review and that is what they claim to be. Everyone has a different angle for blogging. I don't like reading about diapers and some items certainly are obnoxious to read about and sometimes TMI, but to each her own!

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    1. The blogs don't bother me,being forced to comment on them in order to stay in a support group bothers me...I think we should be encouraged and support who we can relate to....not someone who is pushing diapers.

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  16. I agree about the blog reviews. I'd like to review a few products that truly interest me and eventually make a nice income from my blog but I still want to share my everyday life and not just sponsored stuff.

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    1. Agreed....I can respect that,Hilary...personally if Dollar Tree wanted to sponsor Dollar Tree Theater or Library,I wouldn't run away (but I would I still decline)

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  17. You seem to have a busy time. I guess blog hopping gives you a different perspective. Some things that needs to be followed and some things that won't work for you but either way you learn something new.

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    1. What I enjoyed most about the blog hop is showcasing some seriously talented writers and wonderful human beings...

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  18. Yep, blogging will definitely take a lot out of you. Sometimes you just have to unplug from life. I do it by turning off the CPU and binge watching TV shows LOL

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    1. Oh Tonya,you have no idea how you correct you are! I don't have cable (can't afford it) and often will put will on a low budget film just so I can have some noise going...

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  19. donating blood.. such a noble work.. I've always been scared of it anyway..

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    1. Its nothing to be scared of,its very painless actually. The small poke they give you to test your blood is worse then when you give your pint.

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  20. Trying to balance life and family can be hard. This is from someone who stayed up until 3am working and was back up at 7 with the kids.

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  21. You sound like you are almost getting over whelmed with all you are doing. Don't forget to take time out for you daily. I love the donating the books idea. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Overwhelmed? Oh Rebecca,you need to go back to the start of my blog and start reading....I think you will quite surprised at how weight much I can carry....but lacking a purpose or a reason to live can weigh on my heart quite a bit. *s*

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  22. it is always hard to find balance, but it sounds like you are finding some things that work. Blog hops are always fun, glad you saw results.

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    1. I hope you checked the folks I wrote about,they are amazing people!

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  23. I heard about Jewel and it made me sad. Obviously I don't know her personally but its always sad when a relationship ends.

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    1. Agreed,you would think being away from all the major media markets,they would have lived a quiet life outside Jewel touring or recording...

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  24. This is a very interesting blog

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  25. In 5 years I have never written about any product. I don't think it's good to post about things that you aren't interested in. I write about things that matter for me.

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    1. I have written about products.....but I.V. drips,cisplatin,norco just don't carry the same cachet as diapers..so you and I are in total agreement! I rather write about life rather then products

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  26. I love to hear Jewel sing too. Good idea to donate books!

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    1. Had the pleasure of hearing her sing at a small show my old boss did at one of his clubs I worked at...then again when my buddy Jimmy booked her to open for Belly.

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  27. Wow, so many different topics in one post - refreshing! Good luck to Lisa with her chemotherapy!

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    1. Thank you Ave...I hope the carboplatin can buy her more time as well....while I am far late into watching her journey,I have walked past many of the places she has been when my Lori was on the same path. Its a very long,tiring walk to say the least. I pray for her every day.

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  28. I had no idea that Jewel was getting a divorce. How sad :(

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    1. Yes....I honestly am confused on why after 16 years,they cannot overcome anything that has popped up....

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  29. I love Jewel and her songs and I feel like she should go back to her roots as a singer, so sad that she and her husband are getting a divorce.

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  30. I am waiting for a chance for our local administration to hold a blood donation project and I want to experience it but I am not sure if a tattooed person like me is allowed for a blood letting project. That Garfield photo is like me every morning.

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