Let the Great Pumpkin Fun begin!

As much as I am a huge fan of summer ( not going to lie, I worship the sun) I love everything about fall- Football, the smell of burning leaves, halloween, apples, pumpkins... the list goes on and on. I talk every year about going pumpkin picking, or for a hayride, sometimes it happens and sometimes it doesn't. 

But today I got my first pumpkin cupcake of the season and had an epiphany. I am going to taste test every pumpkin cupcake and/or cookie in Baltimore possible and rate it here for you fine folks that read my blog. (Which, at this point is probably no one since I post so sporadically!) So while trying to hold onto good eating habits I'll have to sacrifice some for the sake of this project.

I'd already had the idea to have a pumpkin beer taste test party, so the results from that will come at a later date. For your entertainment, the first pumpkin cupcake review happens here:


Pumpkin Cupcake from the B&N Starbucks, via The Cheesecake Factory

The cake was billed as pumpkin, but it tasted more like a ginger/spice cake. Not bad by any means, but I was looking for more of a stand out pumpkin flavor. The cake itself was kind of dense, whereas I prefer my cupcakes to be light and moist. The frosting, cinnamon cream cheese, was the highlight. I prefer a stronger cinnamon flavor, but for those that like a more subtle cinnamon taste this would hit the spot. The one downfall was the lack of frosting, I enjoy a larger cake to frosting ratio. 

Photos:

Rating:

Things that are annoying me today

So just wanted to take a second to touch on 2 issues that are irritating me today: people hating on Nabisco/Oreos and the uproar over Lupul and racy photos.

#1- So Oreo posted a photo an oreo cookie with rainbow frosting in honor of Pride Day and the comments were horrific. I can't even begin to explain how crude and disgusting they were (see for yourself) It's just amazing to me that people can be so hateful, especially those that bring God and the Bible into the picture. It says in the Bible "God says to not judge others as only he shall judge us" and the basis of religion in love and acceptance. If it is not hurting or affecting you, why must you care so much?? Homophobia needs to end now.

#2- Twitter was abuzz last night and today regarding Joffrey Lupul's request to Princess_Sass for dirty/nude photos. Now, please do not tell me that people have not attempted to get dirty photos online before, especially if you have the clout of celebrity or athlete status of which to do so. The thing that gets me is the epic proportions to which it was blown. Why does everyone care so much?? First of all- PS was in the wrong to tweet about his request. If you are going to start tweeting at him with the promise of photos-and deliver- why the need to call him out publicly about it. Let it be what it is. Many of us have sent or received dirty photos, you simply enjoy and destroy. Use your common sense and be discreet about it. Unless you are trying to blackmail someone (which I do not condone at all!) keep it to yourself. They are both of age, and he wasn't posting her photos up all over the internet. Let it rest people.

Princess Sass- power to you girl for sleeping with hot hockey players, but be kind and don't throw them under the bus.

Lupul- remember you are a well known athlete and make sure you can trust random chicks from online.

That's enough for now. I'm about to go eat an Oreo and hit on hotties online. Don't worry guys, I'm one of the discreet ones.

Single Life- The Ups and Downs

I just stumbled across this article on Jezebel today and it really hit home. For whatever reason lately I have been uber aware of other's relationships, marriages, pregnancies etc. Even just this morning I was contemplating my own happiness- am I really happy or am I just kidding myself? It's an interesting situation to be in.

On one hand I revel in being single. I love having my own place, doing my own thing. If there is a mess it's mine and mine only. I don't have to fight over tv programming or music choices. I do what I want, plain and simple. Unlike the author of the article, when I see people getting married/having babies I don't covet their lives. Instead I get a Peter Pan complex going on, why would anyone want to grow up?!? It's so much fun to be young and single and free from responsibility (besides a dog of course). Yes, I would love to be in a relationship, now in fact would be great, but it also kind of freaks me out. Perhaps it's because I've never been in a serious relationship and at the ripe age of 29 it seems like it will never happen or when it does that will be the only serious relationship I ever have. And I don't want that. I want to seriously date a couple/few guys before I settle in for the long haul. I think it's important to learn what you really want, and who you are as part of a couple. Though from the few casual relationships I have been apart of, however complicated they may have been, I know I make a damn good girlfriend.

The author talks a lot about how her married friends are the ones who are most persistent in asking why she is single. In my case my married friends (one in particular) tell me to stay single and childless for as long as possible. I think they revel in my stories of drunken hookups and random adventures, which is fine by me. Though at the same time I feel a slight undercurrent of judgement and relief they don't have to deal with that any longer.

I've always appreciated the fact that my mom was never one of those people to ask if I have a boyfriend/dating anyone, actually most people in my family don't besides my dad (who wants grandkids yesterday). However I was slightly insulted when at Christmas she asked my 14 yr old (step) niece if she had a boyfriend. Why ask her and not me?? Is it because you don't want to remind me I'm single? Every once in a while it'd be nice if she acted like there was a chance I might have a boyfriend.

I did make one of my 2012 goals to get into a relationship, however i think it's hard to accomplish something if you aren't 100% behind it. I'm not sure if I don't really want one, or I don't think I will find someone, but I'm kind of ambivalent towards the whole thing. Yes, I get lonely. Yes, I'd love to have someone to share life with and to just hang out with, but at the same time I feel like I want these things for selfish reasons. I love my life- I like my routine and the way I spend my weekends, I like hanging out with my dog. To date you really have to give those things up, and that annoys me. I want to magically wake up one day with a boyfriend whose life intersects perfectly with mine. And I know that is not possible at all.

So single, good or bad? It depends on the day and situation and if you are being left out b/c you aren't part of a twosome. But for the most part it works, and I always have Gordie. :-)

Goofy moods at work make Keely a silly girl

I get in silly moods- they come and go but when they are here who knows what will happen. As I happen to be in one now I figured I’d post a rambling of the things going through my mind, and out of my mouth, at this time.

-HUNGER GAMES!!! Only 50 days until it hits theatres, I cannot wait. Just entered 5 different contests to win tickets to the premiere. LA here I come!!
-Blood letting/leeches- damn glad I didn’t live in the days of Jefferson and Adams.
-Woo oh oh oh I kind of want to be driving in my car with the windows down and music really loud.
-too much smart talk from Mr. Babo
-I hate taxes. Like literally hate them. As in I may just not do them.Hopefully the I R S does not read my blog...
-I
-want
-to
-type
-like
-this
-for
-the
-rest
-of
-the
-day
-Our internet connection is horrible!!!!!!!!!!
-OMG I’m not sure there is anything I dread more than doing the photographer schedule for lax season. UGH

Cut from the same cloth

Don't get me wrong, my mother is a wonderful woman- she's intelligent, goofy/fun loving and creative. But I take pride in the fact that I differentiate from her in certain characteristics- I'm way more laid back and able to go with the flow. However there are situations that arise in which I realize I am more like her than I care to admit.

I realized today that my newspaper subscription has continually increased over the past couple of months and so I called the circulation desk. Upon discovering my sign up deal had expired (no big deal) I asked to change to only weekends only to be told it would cost me even more! Won't lie, I got the paper for the coupons in the first place, so icily said I would prefer to cancel my subscription. The person then came back to offer a better deal. Anywho, the whole point is that I could see my mom saying the words "Well I'll just cancel then" in a snippy tone with a tense facial expression, but in this case it was me.

In times of stubbornness, snippy moods, and the desire to be introverted I am my mother's daughter. I don't mean to focus on the negative by any means, I know I am lucky to be blessed with some of her great characteristics, but as time passes I realize I am getting more like her (and my grandma). Just an interesting recognition to be aware of...

January Goals

As in the previous post I mentioned I am setting monthly goals as well as yearly goals. Some have no influence on the yearly goals while others help break down the larger goals into more obtainable ones. I've come to realize you have to be made accountable not just to yourself but to everyone around you to truly be successful, so each month I'll be sharing the goals I've set.

Month #1....

• Visit the gym 20 times
• Take Gordie to the Vet
• Write 4 notes
• Sustain from alcohol, and if I do drink can only drink red wine

As you might have inferred my body/health took a backseat during the holidays. Drank too much, ate too much and exercised not enough. Trying to turn things around and get a head start on being in the best shape ever by the time my 30th rolls around in November.

2012 Goals

While this is late in posting I figured I'd better do it now before it slipped my mind. In my last post I reflected on my 2011, and now it's time to look forward into 2012. Last year I set goals for myself, and while I wasn't wonderful about meeting them I am taking another stab at it. I think I've set more realistic goals, and have monthly goals to help me obtain the yearly ones. So without further ado...

• Read 85 books
• Run in at least 5Ks/races
• Travel! Places I hope to see include Europe, the Caribbean and Vegas
• Donate $200 to charities/foundations
• Blog once a week (so far not meeting this yet, ha!)
• Write 52 Thank You/Thinking of you Notes
• See 1 movie at the theatre a month
• Try one new restaurant a month
• Write 25,000 words on my novel
• Find myself in a relationship that is healthy, fun and passionate
• Take Kyle to the 2013 Winter Classic

To help myself obtain these I made posters that I glued (yes glued, don't ask) to my closet door so I see them every single day. I really think that with perseverance and dedication I can make all my goals this year. Good luck to me!