| 1. | to present as a gift, grant, or contribution; make a donation of, as to a fund or cause: to donate used clothes to the Salvation Army. |
| 2. | to make a gift, grant, or contribution of something; give; contribute: They donate to the Red Cross every year. |
Ever heard of no-take-backsies? It basically means that once you act on something, you can’t go back on it; be it your word, or something you do. No-take-backsies can be applied in many every day situations, such as donating items to a charitable cause. If you donate items/or money to a cause, the general rule of thumb is that you can’t change your mind and ask for it back. Or can you? I guess if you are tacky, lack class, or morals then yes, you can ask for it back. Another rule of thumb is that you don’t ask if you can go through donated items, to see if there is anything you might want, before the items are donated.
I recently took up a clothing collection for an organization that I volunteer for called Generate Hope. Generate Hope is a non-profit organization that focuses on the long term recovery for young women who have been exploited and forced into the sex trade. We recently moved into our first safe house, and the girls who are coming to live there have little, if any, clothes. I have been asking everyone that I know to donate clothes and so far the response has been overwhelming! I have bags upon bags of clothes in my living room!
Yesterday, one person who was kind enough to donate two bags of clothes, had the audacity to ask me for one of the items back! I had commented on how grateful I was for the donations, but mentioned I was surprised that she donated one item in particular, a dress. I told her how pretty the dress was, and how I was sure it would make some girl very happy! She replied, “It’s too small for me … it is pretty though, isn’t it?” I again said how the dress was pretty. She asked for it back. I stared at her for a moment, and said, “No, are you serious?” She looked at me pleading and said, “Yes can I have it back?” I took a moment, let out a big sigh and said, “Fine, you can have the too small for you dress back!” She asked me if I was judging her. I told her to not worry about it. Am I judging you? Do you really have to ask? Um, yes! Totally. It what it is, right?
That same day, another person approached me about donated items. This person thought it would be cool to ask me if she could go through them items before I took them to their final destination. No, I am not kidding. This woman wanted dibs on items being donated to a charitable cause!
I have no words…
Moral(s) of this blog:
Robb and I saw Avatar last night. We were going to see it on Christmas Day, but opted for Sherlock Holmes instead. I can’t tell you much about Sherlock Holmes though, because I fell asleep. Muscle relaxers … they get me every time. I had body pain, so what?!?!? Anyhoo…
James Cameron successfully created the ultimate nerd fantasy with Avatar. Think World of Warcraft, meets Lord of the Rings, meets Final Fantasy, meets Fern Gully, meets Last of the Mochican’s, meets Braveheart, meets Smurfs (if you don’t understand the Smurf reference immediately visit www.southparkzone.com and watch Dances With Smurfs, or be dead to me now). Now take all of that and add a big old tree that acts as a motherboard for the entire planet of Pandora, which connects everything and everyone spiritually. Oh snap… I think I remember this from Disney’s Pocahontas! Would anybody care to paint with all the colors of the wind? Add Pocahontas to the “meets” list. So as I was saying, we’ve got our nerdiness with a side order of tree hugging, and it keeps getting better! Nerds, are you okay, or is this too exciting? The creatures all rock these super long braids that more or less act as USB cables! What on Earth Pandora could a USB braid be used for? Hmmm! I think I have a few ideas. How about for bonding with enormous flying dinosaur-like creatures? Or maybe for riding six legged horses, or better yet … Avatar sex! Nerds are you still breathing?
Okay so here is the part where I ruin the movie for those of you who haven’t see it! Yay!
As far as a premise of the movie goes, it’s sub par. It takes place in the year 2154 and the Marine Corps is being sent to the planet Pandora to kick the natives out so they can mine for some expensive stone that grows on the planet. (I would also like to mention that the USMC accepts just about anyone in the year 2154.) Our main character is Cpl. Jake Sully. He is in a wheelchair and has been ordered to take his twin brother’s spot on the Avatar mission. Anyway, Sully basically embodies the stereotype that follows Marines. A Jarhead, a Devil Dog, a Leatherneck. Does what he’s told, and doesn’t ask questions. Get Some! Ooh-rah! Semper Fi! You get the picture. So Sully enters the world of Pandora through his avatar with his mind on his mission and his mission on his mind. That is of course until he meets the girl. The girl always screws things up. Sully should have remembered that if the Marine Corps wanted him to have a wife, they would have issued him one. So of course there is tension between Sully and the girl for a good part of the movie, but it doesn’t take a rocket scientist for figure out that they end up falling in love and connecting their USB Braids. Oh yeah, they also lead their people in a fight against the humans for their planet. Of course they win and the humans (except for the lucky few) end up leaving. There is some other stuff in between all that, but I don’t have all day.
I am pretty sure James Cameron had a power lunch with a bunch of nerds and it went something like this:
JC: Hey nerds what’s your ultimate fantasy?
Nerd 1: I wish that my real life and my Online RPG life could become One.
Nerd 2: And I wish that my Online RPG girlfriend looked like her Avatar (and that she was really a girl).
Nerd 3: I think it’d be so hot if we could combine technology with mother nature.
Tada! Avatar, the visually stunning (3D ooh! ahh!), yet laughably nerdy film is born!
This is Robert Pattinson
Here are some things that look like Robert Pattinson:
The blue creature from Avatar movie…
A frying pan…
I have my suspicions that Robert Pattinson works part-time as Kiera Knightley’s chest…
Right now, I am stressed. I have gotten over the initial stress where you act crazy and cry a lot. Now I am the kind of stressed where I am always tired, possibly getting sick from lack of sleep, and do not have time to do things that I enjoy because there are simply not enough hours in the day. That’s right, I took on three big things at once, which like milk on a hot day, was a bad choice!
Two weeks ago, I got a promotion at work, and accepted, Robb and I decided to move, and I started school. All of these events are actually really good things, just them happening all at once… not so much.
My promotion at work is awesome because: 1) I am getting a closer look at how the marketing world looks 2) It’s more challenging that my old position, and 3) I make more money (yay shoppping)!
Moving is awesome because: 1) We don’t live on base 2) We aren’t surrounded by high and tights 3) No PMO 4) Did I mention we don’t live on base?
Starting school is awesome because: My second degree is in progress.
And here is why all those things are heinous…
Promotion: 1) Learning a whole new position 2) It’s ungodly cold in the office 3) A lot of people as me dumb questions 3) Big Giant Babies
Moving: Moving straight up is the devil, and if you don’t think so, you have issues.
School: It takes fun time away. Mother fucker!
I am hoping that I will soon settle into a routine, and that I will find time for thing that I actually enjoy … like reading for fun, going to the gym, cleaning and decorating my new house , calling my friends and family (although that is a challenge because the service at our new house is horrible!)
Okay, you can start feeling sorry for me now.
Yesterday I received a creepy email. It was sent through the contact section of my blog. It was from a woman “Angela” who prefers to refer to me as “Dearest One”. Angela finds my writing “romantic … which can only be expected from someone of great intelligence”. Well, Angela, you are right about one thing, I am highly intelligent, although I would disagree that my writing is romantic. In fact, I’d say it’s rough, and mildly offensive.
Angela then went on to tell me about how she is a refugee from the Tutsi Tribe in Rwanda. Apparently her father was a doctor who used to manage the mining of blood diamonds, but he was poisoned by his co-worker. Thenher mother was savagely murdered, and that is how she became and orphan and a refugee. Mmmhmm … gotcha. Angela said that she is looking forward to learning more about me, my passions, hopes and dreams and hopes to hear from me soon. She promised to write back to tell me more lovely details about her life.
Angela also included a picture, and it would seem that as a refugee she is doing well. Angela was sporting some classy gold hoops, and bling-ed out nose ring, and a super posh Dolce & Gabbana bag. Shit, I wanna be a refugee!
I sincerely look forward to my next email from Angela, most likely asking me to send money.
By the way, if I was a refugee, I certainly would have more important things to do than read my blog. Just sayin’.
Does anyone remember Tina Chen? You know, myspace.com/tinaecmusic or youtube.com/user/tinaecmusic? Well a little over a year ago, she had an Essay contest. Basically the idea was to write an essay/make a video about how awesome Tina is, and she would pick 3 winners. The winners would be lucky enough to have Tina write a song about them. I happened to be one of the three winners. Unfortunately it took Tina FOREVER to write a song about me. Today Tina finally sent me the link to my song, and uhm … it’s super creepy. In fact, I kind of wish I never won the contest.
Here is the link: http://s50.photobucket.com/albums/f313/brianlittrellfanforever/?action=view¤t=IMG_0001.jpg
Apparently my smile is Heaven though…
Victory is mine!
If you read my blog on a regular basis, you should be familiar with my community gym situation. If not, please read: Bringing Your Kid to the Gym = Fail and Double FAIL . It won’t take that long, I promise, and it will help you understand why victory is now mine 
Okay, so now that you’ve caught yourself up …
I wrote a complaint letter to the Regional Property Manager of Lincoln Military Housing. Not to brag or anything, but my letter was fabulous. Check it out
I would like to submit a complaint regarding an employee by the name of Amy. She works _______________.
Today, June 30, 2009 I called the Mountain District Office with a concern about the Fitness Center. The past few times that I have attempted to use the facility, it has been overrun with an abundance of children. Today I found a baby wedged between a running treadmill and halfway on an elliptical that I had intentions to use. Other times that I have attempted to use the facility I have found children as young as 4 playing on treadmills, playing with weights and running amuck. I realize that I live in a military community and that there are a lot of children, but I find it incredibly dangerous for children to be playing in the area. Furthermore I find it incredibly inconsiderate of the parents who bring their young children into the fitness center, especially since there is a sign on the door that states no persons under the age of 14 are permitted in the fitness center. As I expressed my concerns to Amy, her tone with me became very hostile and rude. She accused me of not being sensitive to families and suggested that I hate children. She kept repeating that, “This is a family community”. I acknowledge that this is a family community, and I also acknowledge that rules are meant to be followed. The rules are clearly not being followed at the Mountain District Fitness Center. I said this to Amy, who in a very short manner said, “Technically that sign means that kids can be in there as long as they are with a parent.” I didn’t argue with her that the sign reads differently, but I did ask her if that gives parents the right to let their children run wild, and if it gives parents the right to place their newborns on fitness equipment. I also asked her what Lincoln Military’s response would be if said children were to get hurt? “Well that’s just the parents fault.” I told Amy that I found this unacceptable, and that I found it dangerous, and that it made me nervous having to work out around children. Amy said my statement was unfair, to which I replied, “I am a member of this community as well, but I can’t use the fitness center because of people being inconsiderate. How is that fair? How is it fair to the parents who get babysitters?” She then told me that everyone couldn’t get a babysitter. I didn’t argue, even though I am aware that there is free childcare available for military spouses.
This awesome letter posted on all the doors in the neighborhood. Rules and Regulations for the gym …Nice! So Robb and I go to pick up our gym cards and and sign the rules and regulations and guess who we have helping us? My good “friend” Amy! Hahaha! She was nice to us until we handed over our I.D.’s and she realized who we were. The look on her face was priceless, I wish I could have taken a picture.She was sooo pissed! I LOVE IT! I love it, I love it, I love it, I love it, I LOOOOOVE IT! I win!
I finally gave in and re-opened my Facebook account. Basically because Facebook is cool again, and since I have a fascination with social media, I need to stay on top of things. I still hate Facebook with a passion. It’s too wordy and I hate all those invites on there. Really? Stop sending me invites! That goes for you Chad Marsh! I will admit that I probably hate Facebook because I don’t know how to use it, and I never took the time to figure it out. OR because I have more important things to do rather than play on Facebook. I just said that to make myself feel better.
My mom’s friend Melissa found me on Facebook though, and that is pretty cool because we used to hang out with her and her kids all the time back in the day. It’s always interesting reuniting with people from your childhood. It makes me want to draw pictures of mermaids and watch The Purple People Eater.
I’m not quite sure why I didn’t blog about this sooner. Pendleton Yard Sales is probably one of the most amazing and entertaining things ever. For those of you not lucky enough to experience military life (that was a big heaping pile of sarcasm BTW), let me explain to you this glorious machine that is Pendleton Yard Sales.
Pendleton Yard Sales, or http://www.pendeltonyardsales.com is like Craigslist, but for Camp Pendleton. You can buy and sell and trade anything on there. When I say anything, I mean ANYTHING, including friendships and erotic sex chairs that have been gently used.
The first time that Robb and I encountered PYS we were looking for a pub style dining room table and chairs in the furniture section. That’s when we encountered the gently used erotic chair that was looking for a good home, because the current owners didn’t have room for it in their living room anymore as they just bought a new living room set. Isn’t that sweet? They wanted to make sure their gently cum stained chair would be passed on to a loving couple. I didn’t take a shot of the article, but it read something like this: Gently used Erotic Chair in need of a good home. Only used twice. We bought it for $600.00, but need to get rid of it because we just bought a new living room set and have no room for it 
Will sell for $75.00 OBO to a good home. Haha, “a good home” as if it’s a beloved pet or something. Scruffy needs a good home, your sex chair … not so much.
Funnier and sufficiently more awkward than the sex chairs, are the “Looking for a friend” listings in the FREE section. I understand the loneliness that can come with being a military spouse. Moving across the country onto a military base can be stressful, especially if you don’t know anyone. Friendship can become and urgency, as cell phone bills run high from calling home all the time in an attempt to have some form of human contact. When your husband asks you what you did all day, you suddenly realize that you cleaned the house 4 times and watched a shit ton of reality TV! In fact, you can relate to the woe’s of Holly Madison of The Girls Next Door, and feel like you and she have a real connection. Then a lightbulb goes off and you’re like,, “OMG you fucking need a life and friends!” I have been there and it’s sad, but it’s never sad enough to beg for friends on the internet. 
Begging for friends on the internet is more or less asking weirdos to find you. For example, weirdo’s like me who will curiously blog about your meek attempts at normalizing yourself. Even worse, you could expose yourself to crazy people. Ever heard of the Craigslist killer? Just because it’s a military base doesn’t mean there aren’t crazy people out there, shit, there are people here trying to sell gently used sex chairs. That’s is pretty damn crazy if you ask me! 
I also wouldn’t recommend posting your MySpace and Facebook URL’s. Really? Bad idea, and I shouldn’t have to explain why. I’d have to say that my favorite part about Pendleton Yard sales is that it’s all about family values and taking it easy. So much so that Pendleton Yard Sales is closed on Sundays. 
That’s right, you can’t find friends or sex chairs, or dining room tables on Sundays. It’s a day of rest, where families should come together and not bother with such trivial concerns. I think that is just darling All hail Pendleton Yard Sales!
I’m starting to think that maybe the twat in the housing office is correct. Maybe I do hate children and families. Today we went to a screening of Harry Potter on base. It was packed, and I expected that. Somehow, I still had faith that the idiots that I am forced to associate with as peers, would have the common courtesy to leave there infant aged offspring at home. Haha … I was wrong. They brought their little shits to the movie. Why would you bring a baby to an almost 4 hour movie with loud noises? I am aware that most of these people were raised in barns, but come on! Come on! You don’t bring babies to movies. You just don’t. And really, it isn’t the babies fault, it’s the 18 year old mothers fault. Note to sexually active teen girls who date men in the military: KEEP YOUR FUCKING LEGS CLOSED.
That’s all.
Daniel Radcliff you are Froto with a wand.
