It’s my one year BLOGOVERSARY!!!  That’s right!  One year ago today the world was blessed with the inception of this awesome blog!  Even crazier is, this is my 198th post so we’re also technically calling this my 200th post celebration!

You really don’t have to get me anything, but I’m flattered at the thought.

In fact, I would like to thank YOU the readers for continuing to help make my blog a success!  I will be giving away THREE (so more people have chances!) gift cards valued at $10 from my favorite awesome places: Starbucks, Target, and Amazon.  There are many ways to win, so please read the details below:

• 1) Comment on this blog post for one entry
• 2) Become a follower of my blog here for an additional entry (note in your comment that you did this)
• 3) Tweet/Facebook/or MySpace (does that still exist?) about this giveaway/blog for an additional entry (note in your comment that you did this)
• 4) Blog about this giveaway/blog on your website for an additional entry (note in your comment that you did this)

(Drawing will be via a random number generator at random.org)

So, that is an opportunity for FOUR entries!  The giveaway will go through the end of the week and end on Saturday night at 11PM.  Winners will be announced and contacted by Monday.

Thank you so much for reading my blog and for celebrating this momentous occasion with me!

Cheers,

Esley

Milton Bradley, you are so god-damned dumb.  Shut your mouth already.  If you don’t, I fear parts of the Pacific Northwest will fall into the ocean quicker because of you bringing that giant chip on your shoulder to Seattle. 

Batting .257 with 12 homers and 40 RBI’s for the Cubs certainly had nothing to do with the hard times you endured in Chicago right?  It’s just because we’re all a bunch of racists.  AND, it’s the first time you’ve ever come up against such controversy.  Well Milton, I’m calling your bluff for the millionth, AND LAST time (the rest is up to you Seattle, bless your hearts):

Skip to 2:50 for some more “I’m a fucking victim” statements.  (Hmmmm… I think I know someone he actually would get along with): 

Wow, EVERYONE lies EXCEPT Milton Bradley.  Madness!

Pet Peeve of the Day: People who don’t take responsibility for themselves

Quote of the Day: “Any idiot can face a crisis.  It’s day-to-day living that wears you out.” –Anton Chekov

The constant question of  “can people change” has been predominately taking over my life lately.  I believe that people can, but only if they want to.  Or, if there is a reason they want to change their life, their situation, or whatever.  How can you resist a valid, powerful reason for change that would positively effect your life?

For example, I have surprised myself by changing in these ways:

Last summer I went to U.S. Cellular Field for a White Sox game.  I swore I would never go to that hell hole.  But they were playing the Cubs, the tickets were free, and the company was fun.  Thus, I had a reason to enact that change.

Further, I used to abhor cream cheese.  But as someone who doesn’t eat eggs, I am left with very few breakfast options.  A bagel and cream cheese would seem to be the most ideal on-the-go choice.  And yet, I insisted on butter with my bagel, fearing the consistency and weirdness of cream cheese.  But when I discovered that places such as Dunkin Donuts thought that 2 packets of butter could cover an entire bagel, it was time to reevaluate.  I found out there was something known as garlic-herb cream cheese.  I could eat garlic in an acceptable way in the morning!  What better reason for change?  And so, I now love cream cheese.

I love winter, but have never been a fan of spring.  Well, Chicago springs, which are weird and pretty much non-existent.  So I have always opted for snow throughtout the month of March, and then April to come with lots of sunnieness.  I have no problem with snow through April as well.  May is when it all happens as far as I’m concerned.  So you will not find me cursing the weather gods if white flakes should fall for weeks to come.  Except, this is the first year in my life that I can recall desperately waiting for spring.  I cannot wait for baseball, for drinking outside, for drinking 40′s on porches, for wearing flippies.  I have never been so excited for spring in my life and I didn’t really know why.  But I think it is the sense of possibilities, the sense that spring brings in new things, new loves, new friends, new anything.  And so, since 2010 has been shitty thus far, I eagerly await spring!

The examples could go on, but I think I have scientifically proved that yes, people can change.  It’s just a matter of if they want to or not.  And it’s the saddest, most heartbreaking thing in the world to see someone resist necessary change, especially with regards to relationships.  And especially when you’ve done everything you can yet you’re not getting anything back or even being close to being met halfway.  Not that I’m talking about something personal or anything… 

But perhaps I just need to remind myself of the definition of insanity– “doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.”  And remind myself of these words from Dave Matthews– “some people change, and some people won’t.”  I’d like to think there is still hope because I mean really, if I can like cream cheese… But insanity cannot prevail.  It will not. 

Things I Live For: Foggy days; dependability

Quote of the Day: “No rest without love– No sleep without dreams of love– Be mad or chill, obsessed with angels or machines– the final wish is love.” –Allen Ginsburg

“I don’t expect to be treated like a fool no more.”

 ”And in remembering a road sign
I am remembering a girl when I was young
And we said
These songs are true
These days are ours
These tears are free
And hey
The cross is in the ballpark”

–Paul Simon

As 2009 (and the decade!) comes to an end, I thought it would be nice  to reflect on the past year considering I’m a huge fan of “end-of-the-year” lists! I’m not a fan of personal info on my blog but I think the following is pretty benign. Also, 2008 was such a horrible year, that I was determined to make 2009 awesome. I think I succeeded… Here are some month-by-month highlights (consider this my supremely annoying Christmas card!):

January

• Quit my job
• Turned 26 (sayonara quarter century!)
• Went to Madrid with my BFF

February

• Enjoyed living the unemployed dream before it got boring and tedious

March

• Started my awesome blog!
• Went to Arizona for Cubs Spring Training, baked in the sun for what I would later find out would be the last time I could do that. Thanks for the tan Arizona!

April

• Another exciting Cubs season began…

May

• As quick as the Cubs season began… it was already over.
• I learned the value of couponing thanks to all the frugal blogs out there on the information super highway! Not sure how much I saved but if my CVS receipts are any indicator, my year-to-date savings there alone is over $800!

June

• Went to Las Vegas for the first and last time
• Went to my first Cubs-White Sox game on the scary southside

July

• Can’t remember much about this… I can only assume this means that I went on the traditional midyear/midsummer bender

August

• Started grad school!

September

• Reunited with my long lost lover and became engaged!
• Went to Seattle with my family for an awesome Bears-Seahawks game

October

• Formed a legendary karaoke band, “Annette”

November

• My long lost lover moved in and I said goodbye to my beloved single life forever

December

• This  month flew by, I have no idea what happened in December besides Christmas and going to Pittsburgh with my Dad for an awesome Steelers game!

So that, in a nutshell, has been my year. I look forward to making 2010 even more awesome, if that’s possible. Thank you also to all of you, my readers, for making my blog and my year worthwhile! Have a fabulous New Years, be safe, and I’ll see you again in 2010!