Strangest Purchase to Date

Say what you will about online shopping - it's my fantasy land.  I have places for everything.  ShoeDazzle for shoes, Delia's for clothes...and for everything else I could possibly need...

There's Amazon.

It's like the MasterCard commercials.  "There are some things money can't buy. For everything else..."  You know the saying.  Amazon is like that.

To honor my love for Amazon, today's giveaway is a $15 Amazon Gift Card.

I discovered Amazon Prime in 2011 while searching for pieces to go with my Halloween costume.  The place I work does an event every year where we are open to the public with Top-To-Bottom decorations for several different sections.  My section was the Enchanted Forest, and I was Robin Hood.

We wanted to go all out, and I wanted to be true to my character.  I searched through Amazon and discovered with Prime (a free trial) I could get free 2 day shipping.  Shortly after signing up, I found a Bow and Arrows set...and my strangest purchase from Amazon to date.

My Robin of Loxley Dagger.

Suffice it to say, it was the crown jewel of my outfit. The hilt even says "Robin of Loxley" and has the fabled coat of arms.  The blade was dull, though it could be sharpened to be dangerous.  It hooked onto my belt and I fell in love with it.  Before I strapped it to my side, I had several people ask me if I was "Katniss Everdeen" because of my Bow.  I showed them my dagger, and there was no longer doubt.

The whole night I FELT like Robin Hood (or Robyn Hood, as I was referenced).  I even had several little boys come running up to have their picture taken with me - "because Robin Hood is cool and so is she!"  They exclaimed.

I love Halloween. I love dressing up. And I love my strange little dagger.  It's a novelty piece that I keep with my always.  Unfortunately, I can't wear it this year when I dress as American Dream for our Marvel Comics Theme.  But I do plan to have a real Captain America shield...so that should suffice.

What about you?  What's the strangest thing you've ever bought online?  Can you even mention it, or is it far to embarassing to ellude to?

Don't worry - here in the Asylum you're safe.  We won't tell.

Comment below (and follow my blog if you don't already) to be up for the chance to win big to Amazon!  Who wouldn't want $15 free to spend on that online playground?  Comment away!  You have until 12:00am PST to leave your comment and be entered!


Rules for entry:

• Become a follower of my blog
• Comment on the blog of the day in order to be in the drawing to win that day's prize (only Followers' comments will qualify)
• Check back to see if you're the winner (winners will be posted on Facebook on my author page as well) 
• If you did win, email me your address so I can send you your spoils!
• Anyone winner who does not reply within 48 hours will forfeit their prize - so keep checking back!
• Enjoy the party - it's about having fun!

Coffee in the Blood - The Party Continues

There are those of you out there who love your coffee.  It's addictive, tasty*, and energizing.  To honor humanity's love for coffee, today the giveaway starts with a $10 Gift Card to Starbucks.

I recall a recent moment when I showed up for work and made my way towards the large staircase leading to our offices.  Up above me, one of my more favored coworkers was already shuffling along on the second level.  I called out to Bill† and bid him good morning.

--And here I must stop in my narrative to tell you an awful truth about myself: I....am a morning person.  Don't get my wrong, I love my sleep and would stay up late if I didn't work at 8:00am on the dot...but I can't help but be more on the awake and chipper side first thing in the morning, much to the chagrin of my mother.--

Back to Bill. Bill is one of my favorites for a reason.  He's funny, nice, and new enough to not make me feel like I'm behind the times on the whole integrated staff thing.  Bill's got the type of humor that works in my circle - sarcasm, cynicism, and complete silliness.  (Example. In our last meeting, Bill had Hulk Hands from another coworker Owen† and proceeded to *smash* the wall to make the sounds go off).

I greeted him cheerily and received a well-meaning grunt in return - not the usual from one of the friendliest.  With a smile, I propelled up the staircase and struck up a conversation with the now frozen Bill.
"Wow, that was quite the greeting!" I said, laughing as Bill smirked and shrugged his shoulders.
"I haven't had my coffee yet.  I'm pretty much a zombie."

Now this is something I've heard more than once from coffee drinkers. No functioning until coffee is in the blood.

I could hear it in his voice.  That morning fatigue.  Non-Morning-People/Coffee-Drinkers tend to have gravely and deeper voices when I first speak to them, and it only improves as they pep up with Caffeine.  I gave Bill his ground and remarked that this was something I'd found pretty common.

"Well, it's the only form of an acceptable drug.  Society loves it, and I am an addict."

Are you like Bill?  Do you find that little coffee bean's juice to be the most addictive substance in your life?  Tell me about a time you've either BEEN or INTERACTED with a coffeeless zombie in the morning.  Any fun stories?

All who comment (and are following my blog) will be entered into a random drawing for the $10 Starbucks Gift Card.  Comment away!  You have until 12:00am PST to leave your comment and be entered!


* - This is based of popular opinion.
† - Names have been changed to protect the amused.


Rules for entry:

• Become a follower of my blog
• Comment on the blog of the day in order to be in the drawing to win that day's prize (only Followers' comments will qualify)
• Check back to see if you're the winner (winners will be posted on Facebook on my author page as well) 
• If you did win, email me your address so I can send you your spoils!
• Anyone winner who does not reply within 48 hours will forfeit their prize - so keep checking back!
• Enjoy the party - it's about having fun!

Party Time

It's finally here!

And of course, life is crazy.  But I painted myself into this corner and I won't be attempting to escape any time soon.  Paint has to dry, after all.

But enough of my nonsense.

To start the party, I figured we'd start both small and big.  We'll escalate a bit throughout the week, but I figured a nice little bonus never hurts.

So for today....Duh da ta daa!!!!

One monkey and a $10 gift card to iTunes!

I love iTunes, and so do most other people.  Don't fret, this is the first of a few iTunes gift cards, so if you don't win today, there will be chances later in the week.

In your comment, why don't you tell me what you might spend this gift card on?

Remember!
For a chance to win you must:

• Be a follower on my blog (really easy. Check out the right hand side where you can follow through networked blogs by connecting to facebook)
• Comment on this blog before 12:00am PST

More chances to win are coming! Be sure to pay attention throughout the week!

Four Days Hence

Who's the girl who announced a Blog Party Giveaway the same week she's also been told to go on a business trip for her day job?

This girl!

That's right - this genius is going to be busy!  But will that stop me from running my giveaway party?

NO!

We party on, lovely readers, and we let nothing stop us!  I will just have to be awesomely on top of things while being a few states away.  Should be fun for all, right?

Right.

So let's not forget that the party is coming.  Currently only 42 people are eligible to win!  I am far too optimistic to think that number will stay that way, so please do start following my blog so you have a chance! 

REMEMBER

Rules for entry:

• Become a follower of my blog
• Comment on the blog of the day in order to be in the drawing to win that day's prize (only Followers' comments will qualify)
• Check back to see if you're the winner (winners will be posted on Facebook on my author page as well) 
• If you did win, email me your address so I can send you your spoils!
• Anyone winner who does not reply within 48 hours will forfeit their prize - so keep checking back!
• Enjoy the party - it's about having fun!

Partying in Crazy Town

A few of you may know that I call my writing world The Asylum.  Really, the name came from a time when me and all the other writerly were talking about the "places" we write from.  Ted Dekker has his Dungeon, and being good little students, we wanted a namesake of our own.  I know of Bedlam, the Glitter Globe, the Bat Cave, and many more creative names.

The only name I could come up with was The Asylum.  It made sense to me because that's where all the voices are.  You know, not like actual schizophrenic voices (I don't think), but the voices of my characters.  They all have different personalities, different wants, needs, favorite foods, and dancing styles.  They are each some form of "person" who makes it into a book.  So they all belong in The Asylum where I can keep track of them and avoid things like telling the same story twice with different character names.

Anyway, we think it's time to party.  I'm taking a hint from the lovely Stephanie (of the Glitter Globe; I've talked about her a bit) and doing a massive week long party with giveaways.

Obviously it's Tuesday, so the week does not start here.  No, this is going to be a Monday-Friday event in which you can win big.  Or at least, win something.  I'm not made of money, so you're just going to have to be happy with gift cards and not fancy cars.

What am I doing to try to make this worth while?  Well, I'm thinking iTunes, Amazon, and Starbucks for a start.  There will be requirements (there always are).  If you aren't a follower of my blog already, you will want to hop on over to the sidebar scrolling the right side and do that between now and the day you'd like to win a prize.  All comments will be entries once you've established yourself as a follower.

Now, Stephanie has Slinky Dogs (which are still going up up and away, so do go visit), but I figure I need something a bit on the special side too (I learn from the best).  Well, what kind of monkey would I be if I didn't offer up some of my kind?

That's right.  I'm not monkeying around when I say one of these sweet little miscreants could be in your possession.  No worries, they aren't large, they don't eat, and will hardly take to throwing their own feces (of which there isn't any).  

Sure, the big deal right now might be your Starbuck's card, but that won't last...and monkey love is forever.

So here's the partying with me in crazy town! I can tell you everyone is excited.  Do please join us, and maybe we'll give you something in return.

Rules for entry:

• Become a follower of my blog
• Comment on the blog of the day in order to be in the drawing to win that day's prize (only Followers' comments will qualify)
• Check back to see if you're the winner (winners will be posted on Facebook on my author page as well) 
• If you did win, email me your address so I can send you your spoils!
• Anyone winner who does not reply within 48 hours will forfeit their prize - so keep checking back!
• Enjoy the party - it's about having fun!

My Most Functional High Heeled Shoe

It happens to be a tape dispenser.  

My mom found this while buying office supplies for work, and of course the first person she thought of was her daughter.  

I'm sitting at my desk staring at this shoe.  It's far more functional than any of the ones I already own.  Sure, I wish my other shoes could suddenly dispense tape, have a secret hidden compartment for money, or carry a switchblade for protection (yes, that is what I think about).

Really, though, what I'm doing by staring at this little dispenser is avoiding doing things that should be getting done.  Do you ever feel like that?  Like maybe you can contemplate one million questions in order to avoid doing something more substantial?  

It doesn't work forever.  After all, even if I start to wonder if I could make my shoes do other cool things, I would still have to do something in order to make it happen, thus ending my little traipse into procrastination.

Today I've done a lot of work, but once I hit that 3:30pm, my brain shut down.  Suddenly, Pinterest, Facebook, and blog reading sounded like a far better use of my time.  Speak of Blog Reading, you should head on over to Stephanie Karfelt's Blog at the Glitter Globe.  The woman is giving away Slinky Dogs.  Trust me, you want one.

Today Stephanie talked about what her heaven looks like.  If you got to create heaven, how would yours differ than mine?  Stephanie's sounds like a cool place to visit, but there wasn't much mention of Dr. Pepper, so I don't think it would be a place I would stay.  If you want to chime in on what YOUR heaven looks like, head over to the Glitter Globe.

As for here, maybe you have a functional pair of shoes that does wacky things.  If so, tell me about them - and then tell me where to get them.  My shoes are amazing (I love shoes), but I don't think they do more than go on my feet and make my outfit that much better.

Want to meet my favorites?
I knew you did.

  

These babies are my pride and joy.  I love them.  They serve me well and will be a part of my American Dream Halloween costume this year (we're doing a Marvel Comics theme).

I love Halloween...

Okay, now I'm so off topic I have to be done.  Talk about a rambling blog.

So tell me about your shoes.  Or maybe about your Halloween Costume?

Tell me whatever you want.  Today is a throw away day here at Life Unpublished.

A Life Full of "Isms"

Everyone has an "ism".  Skepticism, realism, optimism, pessimism, cynicism...sarca..ism....

You get the point.  We're all prone to SOMETHING!  Being prone to that something gives us our "ism" and makes us an "ist".

Today I found myself doing what it is I always do: Talking.  I am a chatty Cathy doll with a pull cord in the front so I can yank that thing whenever I want and yammer on all day.  On a good day, this is an endearing trait to most people.  Those around me have come to understand how I operate and they let me be.

But when it comes to my "ism", I'm quite the confusing "ist".  I blame logic.  I WANT to be an optimist, but am enough of a realist to be a pessimist.  The way I see it....

I'll tell you that glass is half full, but warn you to be careful because at any moment someone could come walking carelessly by and knock that glass to the floor....where it will shatter into a million pieces.  I will then tell you to stop crying over spilled milk, because I warned you this could happen in the first place.

I recently was given some good news.  That half full glass smiled at me like there was no tomorrow!  Unfortunately, tomorrow came, and I knocked into that glass all by myself.  It is currently falling to the floor. It's either going to shatter, and I will clean up the mess I made, or someone will catch it just before it reaches the bottom and all I'll have is a bit of liquid to mop up with a paper towel.

I don't know which will happen yet (though you can bet I'm banking on the shattering glass), but while ho-humming over this rather depressing incident, I received some good advice from my darling father (I'm paraphrasing)

"What good is worrying about whether or not the glass breaks until it's broken?  You're just wasting time wondering what's going to happen when the glass is on it's way down - you can't do anything past this point until you know the fate of the glass.  Better to keep your chin up and know I'm proud of you."

Those words were like gold.  In a world full of isms, I was offered the chance to choose which "ist" I wanted to be.  Yes I can take bets on what the outcome would be, but it wouldn't control the outcome any better than if I pretended I'd never dropped the glass.

We get so caught up in what could happen, that we forget to enjoy what's happening RIGHT NOW!  I heard myself talking about that stupid glass today to a friend of mine (who of course, can't do anything about it either).  When I realized what a DOWNER I was being about my good thing that, overall, WAS a good thing, I wanted to slap myself (Chris, if you read this I apologize for my Debbie Downer act).

My life is fantastic! I am blessed beyond measure!  There are bumps in the road, sure, but I can't dwell on them.  Sure, someone might knock over the glass, and I warned you they might, but cleaning up the shards isn't so bad (as long as you're careful with the shards).

I'm hoping I'm not alone.  Tell me, have you ever gotten so caught up with a "falling glass" in your world of "isms" that you didn't realize there was a table, chairs, and cupboard full of other glasses in the kitchen with you?






For the Record:
Optimism - That glass is half full and practically bolted to the table!!!
Pessimism - That glass is half empty....broken...already shattered on the ground....(Eeyore)
Realism - That is a glass.  There is liquid in it.  If I bump the table it will fall... if I pick it up I can drink it....so really it's all up to me.
Skepticism - The glass looks half full, but I bet it's half empty.  I bet they didn't even poor it for me anyway.  Might be poisoned. 
Sarca--ism---Nice glass.  Really quaint, the way you filled it straight to that middle line.  No, no, I was only kind of thirsty.  *Drinks glass*  Mm..ambrosia.