Status Drama Queen

            We all have “those” friends on Facebook.

            You know the people—the ones who update their statuses every hour and their statuses are nothing but complaining. And it is always about minor things like how their lives are ending because they didn’t get a Hershey bar today or someone looked at them funny, probably because that someone was squinting in the sun. Those friends, the ones you like to occasionally hang out with but a lot of the time, you wish they would leave because they definitely overstayed their welcome with whining. Everyone had at least one of these friends. I, in my countless moments on Facebook, have recently discovered a better way to deal with them.

           

1. You could see that every one of “those” friends’ statuses as entertainment. Not everyone can get home in the afternoon for soap operas, and even if you did, why would you want at least 3 weeks of episodes dedicated to the drama of Christmas then, all of a sudden, it’s Valentine’s Day. I personally like my Christmas to be over by December 26^th, thank you very much. Look at those friends’ statuses as free entertainment that you can access anytime—the real life drama of not getting a Hershey bar. It’s almost like Days of Our Lives moving to Hulu.

2. You could be honest and tell you friend that his or her status is pure whining and that he or she should stop, but that will just cause more whiney, often cliché, status that say things like, “Good to know who I can call a friend.”

3. When Plan A stops being amusing and/or Plan B fails miserably, there is always my personal favorite, Option C. There is this fabulous setting on Facebook where you can “Hide All” one person’s statuses. (Click the “x” next to the person’s status and it gives the option, in case you were wondering). Option C still allows you to be friends with that friend, but puts a wall up so they cannot overstay his or her welcome. You can occasionally pop over to whiner-land and check their Facebook and see how things are going bur you don’t have to be constantly hear the complaining. It is definitely a wonderful tool. I only wish it could be used in real life sometimes….

SPRING BREAK!

The phrase spring break brings to mind different things for different people. There are many ways to spend this beautiful week and here are a few days to do it:

Going Someplace Warm--er-- Although the weather is warming up and the snow is melting, some people go south for the spring--break. I watched last week as people packed up their cars in flip flops and winter jackets (after all, there was still snow on the ground) for warmer weather; to foreign places like Cancun, the Bahamas, Florida. This is the stereotypical view of how college students spend their spring breaks, but do remember not all college students can afford the lavish luxury of Florida.

Becoming Sleeping Beau or Beauty-- This is the natural reaction to a vacation. Sleeping 12+ hours a day, catching up on all that beauty sleep that was deprived during those late nights and all nighters. However, as soon as you get back to school and get back into a routine, things become more tiring and more hectic.

Doing Homework--Worst idea to spend your spring break. Yes, you can get ahead for the next few weeks of school. But, breaks are for resting and relaxing. Why ruin that to get ahead? You will just end up feeling stressed the next week ahead, because you didn't get rest.

Catching Up-- Probably the best way to spend a break. Sleeping, eating, shopping, catching up with people you haven't seen for a long time.

Applying for Jobs-- Graduation is only 2 months away...

None of Your Busy-Ness

            Through scientific research, consisting of me creeping on people, I have come to the conclusion—everyone is busy. Anywhere in the world right now, people are busy. That is right, it is spreading. It’s probably oozing through your walls and seeping into your air supply as you are reading this. But please, don’t stop breathing. I don’t want you to pass out before I reach my point.

            Now, a plethora of people are busier than others but are busy nonetheless. However, I find that people will have verbal contests to determine who is busier. Person A will say, “I have to work then go to six classes in one day with five midterms.” Person B will reply, “Well, I have to work three jobs today and go to eight classes with nine midterms even though I am only taking five courses.” It gets ridiculous. And if you are thinking right now I don’t that, then you’re a dirty liar. I will admit, I do this A LOT without even noticing it. Even if I know the person on the end probably has as much work as I do. It wasn’t until my friends pointed it out in a not so subtle conversation in a McDonald’s parking lot that I even noticed I was doing it.

            In truth, we all have things on in our lives that other people don’t understand. You can’t determine what is going on in other people’s lives nor can you determine if your things are more bountiful and/or more difficult. (Unless you are comparing your life to my parents’ dog, Carlie, who sleeps all day, because you probably are busier than her. If you creep on my Facebook, or at least see my dad’s comments on my wall, then you understand Romeo is also busy tearing down wallpaper and/or opening the zipper on his dog bed and eating the foam inside). In my experience, if you tell someone he or she is not as busy as you or not busy at all, he or she will not react well.

            If you really do want a blood thirsty zombie in front of you who wants to tear out your throat and have it as a light snack, then tell someone he or she is not busy. Or you could be smart and understand someone else’s busy-ness is none of your business.

Isn't He a Dog?

              Ever have one of these conversations?

            “My baby will be turning a year old in March, he has beautiful black hair and is such a good boy.” “Isn’t he a dog?”

            I will be the first to admit that I am obsessed with my dog. Like, not even in a joking matter, he is my baby. All my pictures on my phone of are him or stained glass pieces I made of him. His name is Romeo Jude Paul, he will be a year old on March 24^th, he hates noises like sighing, loves his bffl Carlie who is not too fond of him and he is starting obedience lessons soon. However, as an avid dog lover, I feel there is a fine line between loving your dog and loving your dog too much. Here is a little list I pieced together:

1. Clothing—I am not taking about sweaters that people sometimes have to whip out when the temperature is in the negatives and they don’t want their dog to freeze to death. I’m talking about full on frilly outfits that they always have on clearance at Petco because not everyone is crazy enough to buy them. Chances are your dog doesn’t want to wear clothes and will try to take them off by rubbing against things. Sometimes he or she succeeds. This should be a sign. Don’t dress your dog!
2. Letting the Dog Drive—There have been many instances that I have seen someone drive by and there, sitting in the driver’s seat, in the driver’s hand is a dog. This is not necessary. Your dog will be just as if not more comfortable in the back or passenger’s seat. For those of you saying your dog likes to sit in the driver’s seat, so did Romeo when I first got him but my mom and I trained him to sit in the back when we are driving.
3. Professional Photographs of Your Dog— This is something parents do with children, not dogs and that is the way it should be. Your photographs of your dog are enough. Trust me. They were taken with love, which is truthfully, more than a photographer can capture. Please do not take your dog to Sear’s every year for his or her annual photograph.
4. Throwing Your Dog a Birthday Party—I will be the first to admit, I make a big deal of my dog’s birthday. By big deal I have my mom say happy birthday to Carlie or Romeo, because I am not home, and may post it on Facebook. I bet there are people out there who have big blowouts for their dogs complete with cake, invitations and party hats. Though I have never witnessed one, I bet they are out there. Your dog does not know what is going on. He or she is not a child and won’t remember ten years from now that you forgot his or her birthday.

I do crazy things for my dogs because I love both Romeo and Carlie. However, there are people who have a little too much love for their dogs. It is okay to tone down the love. I promise, you won’t turn into Michael Vick if you do.