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Blondie Birdie
By Ashley Elizabeth
Tag: New Year's
New Year – New Blog!
January 2, 2020 January 12, 2020 by Ashley DeLargeLeave a Comment on New Year – New Blog!
I said I had big blog news for 2020- and I wasn't kidding. Effective today, I have a new blog and a new home on the internet!
I will no longer be posting updates here at Blondie Birdie, but over at my latest project- Coffee & Chiffon!
With more concise content, a cleaner layout, and more focus on my life in the Pioneer Valley- I hope you'll all follow me over there and continue reading about my (mis)adventures.
I've had a wonderful two years here at Blondie Birdie and am so, so grateful for all the correspondence, feedback, and fun- but I'm ready to start a new chapter in my life for the new decade with a clean slate!
I'll be leaving my past content up here indefinitely for anyone who may want to reference recipes, makeup/skin care reviews, etc. No worries!
Here's to a new journey ahead! I hope to see you all there!
– Ashley –
2019: In a Nutshell
December 31, 2019 January 12, 2020 by Ashley DeLargeLeave a Comment on 2019: In a Nutshell
Good Morning and Happy New Year's (Eve) everybody!
I know that it's pretty much obligatory at this point for every single person looking back on and/or writing about this past year to say "I can't believe how quickly time flew by!"– and I'm sure many of you are sick of that sentiment by now with all the recent recaps, revisits and reviews of 2019 that typically pop up between the day after Christmas and now as we shift gears from presents, mistletoe and ugly holiday sweater parties and prepare for 2020- but here we are and yes- I feel that this year was truly accelerated at lightning speed.
It feels like it was only a few days ago that I was standing on the observation deck of Top of The Rock in New York City on January 1st and making grandeur plans for the year ahead. I had very specific goals/resolutions in mind, and I'm happy and proud that twelve months later- I've accomplished and achieved nearly everything that was on my list at the end of 2018. It wasn't easy by any means- and there were plenty of setbacks and hurdles along the way- but where 2018 was the year I became aware of myself as a person and honest about my strengths and weaknesses as a human being- 2019 was all about implementing what I had learned about myself, sharpening my skill set and redefining my goals in a way that better suited me- and then putting my plans into action to achieve what I wanted to gain.
2019 was filled with changes- big and small, personal and professional. The biggest and most significant change in my life this year was that I relocated to the Pioneer Valley in Western Massachusetts- a move that took me a couple hours away from my family, friends and career- and essentially gave me the opportunity to find new passions and projects in a new community filled with new people (and a few longtime friends that have been established out here for a while now, as well.) It's been exciting, sometimes and admittedly a little frightening- but overall very rewarding. I love my apartment, I love my neighborhood- and I love the exciting opportunities that lay ahead.
Professionally, I managed to juggle not one, not two- but three jobs- simultaneously and successfully. And, while I had to overcome a brief period of office drama, slander and sabotage at the hands of co-workers at my full-time office job- it is my Saturday show with Indie617 that brought me the most joy and fulfillment- and I cannot wait to continue that into 2020. Additionally, a Summertime stint with a local theater company earned me some extra income and a couple of connections here in the Valley that I hope will have prosperous potential in the future.
And then, personally- and perhaps the thing I'm most proud of this year- was that I kept my promise to myself to not allow negative people to drain me of my energy and spirit and reduce me to a doormat. I put my foot down in 2019- and I severed ties with people who were either toxic or did not have my best interests at heart. In releasing myself and putting needed distance from those negative and often abusive friendships/connections- I became more honest and upfront with what I wanted without fear- and the result was forging stronger, more meaningful and healthy friendships/relationships with those around me.
This past year was also filled with travel (from new and unfamiliar locations here in New England all the way to Las Vegas and San Diego this past Spring), incredible live shows from Boston Calling and Green River Festival in the Summer to Bon Iver and Hozier in the Fall- and big changes for my friends and family- including engagements, new babies, and buying new houses!
And with all the progress and all the changes that have happened in 2019- I feel like I'm better equipped to enter 2020 with new and attainable goals. I have a new list of resolutions- which I'll share at the end of this post- as well as some exciting blogging news in relation to the future of Blondie Birdie.
But first, as is tradition- I'd like to recap some of the headlines, trends, pop culture phenomenons, memes and everything in-between in what I call 2019: In a Nutshell.
Let's take a look back, shall we?
(Image via Reuters)
Corruption was the talk of the town: I didn't want to kick this off with anything related to Donald Trump. I've made no attempts to hide my contempt for him or his rabid followers since well before he took office- but this has been *the* news story of late 2019 and as it's still ongoing- it's worth the first mention.
Following the revelation via a still-anonymous whistleblower that Donald Trump had enlisted the help of the newly appointed President of the Ukraine to investigate Trump's 2020 political opponent, former Vice President Joe Biden and Joe Biden's son in exchange for previously approved financial and military aid that would assist the Ukraine in their fight against Russian aggression- all bets were off in late September when an impeachment inquiry was launched by House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi.
In the weeks/months that followed- a number of witnesses were called to the stand to testify. Some of the testimony remained private to the public while other testimony was televised for days on end. Witnesses included former ambassadors and officials associated with the White House- and what they saw/overhead did not look good for Trump and his associates- who had vehemently denied any wrongdoing. Trump, unable to control his temper tantrums- went as far as to participate in witness intimidation in real time while Diplomat Marie Yovanovitch took the stand.
The Republicans, desperate and grasping at anything throughout the process- ceased to ask pertinent questions and instead began to simply shout over or attempt to degrade the witnesses- often resulting in brutal hashtags and memes on social media poking fun at their expense.
And on December 18th, Trump became the third president in U.S. history to be impeached following a long and tedious vote by the House on two articles of impeachment – abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.
While pre-trial proceedings remain ongoing and we await the formal decision on whether or not Trump will be removed from office (hopefully forcibly-) it goes without saying that at this point it is glaringly obvious even to the most stubborn MAGA hat-wearer that Trump and everyone has has placed in his inner circle to aid and abet him are criminals.
(via CNBC)
Epstein didn't kill himself: Jeffrey Epstein has been a known predator for a long time, particularly after a prior conviction in 2008 where he had admitted to soliciting a minor for prostitution- but that didn't stop the wealthy financier with powerful friends (including politicians and members of the Royal Family) from getting a slap on the wrist and released from his sentence in a minimal amount of time.
Years later, with multitudes of women and young girls coming forward- and after a lengthy and extensive investigation (prompted by a detailed exposé about the crimes being committed under everyone's noses)– Epstein was arrested again in July of 2019- this time on federal charges of sex trafficking minors in Florida and the state of New York. The arrest brought to light his affiliations with other wealthy and prominent people/institutions- and it was widely speculated that he would name those who had assisted him with his crimes of abusing underage girls as part of a potential deal.
In August, after being placed on suicide watch following a previous attempt/assault within his cell just a few days earlier- Epstein was found dead with a broken neck. The official ruling was suicide by hanging- but many people had speculations and suspicions given the timeline of events and Epstein's elite connections. Foul play has been widely insinuated- and as recently as November- two prison guards who were responsible for monitoring Epstein have been charged with conspiracy and falsifying records detailing what had happened the night he died.
(via CNN)
The Notre-Dame Fire: In April of 2019, all eyes were on Paris when the famed Notre-Dame cathedral was reportedly engulfed in flames as a result of a structural fire. For hours, onlookers watched in horror as flames destroyed the roof and spire before finally being contained and extinguished. In the interim, security personnel and responding firefighters managed to remove priceless artifacts and artwork from within the cathedral to safety before they could be damaged by the flames or heavy smoke.
The structure of the cathedral proved to be beneficial when remnants of the roof and spire had collapsed- as it helped shield a good amount of the interior from significant destruction- and pieces that were located and found to be damaged were expected to be sent out for repair/restoration.
And perhaps the most miraculous of all was that there were no fatalities and only a couple of minor injuries reported in the aftermath.
It didn't take long for the donations to begin pouring in from around the globe to assist with the restoration and rebuilding of the damaged sections of the cathedral- and if you happened to be on social media that day- you were no stranger to the endless barrage of Parisian vacation photos paying tribute to the location. We get it, guys- you went to Paris ten years ago. Calm down.
(via NASA)
We got our first look at a black hole: Also in April of this year, the science world and space enthusiasts everywhere got a real treat when the first image of a black hole was released. Using an Event Horizon Telescope- which I have no business trying to explain because that's how advanced and technical it is- a group of astronomers managed to secure the above photo. NASA went on to explain in their press release:
Using the Event Horizon Telescope, scientists obtained an image of the black hole at the center of the galaxy M87. (There is a supermassive black hole at the center of our galaxy — the Milky Way.)
The black hole is outlined by emission from hot gas swirling around it under the influence of strong gravity near its event horizon.
Space has always intrigued and terrified me beyond comprehension (every movie where the plot focuses on people in space has *never* ended well for anyone)– but even I thought this was a fascinating peek into what lies beyond the stars.
(via Boston Herald)
Aunt Becky is probably going to prison: Earlier this Spring, the news broke that a group of celebrities, CEOs and moguls were being charged with conspiracy, money laundering and fraud (among a whole lot of other crimes) in relation to a college admissions bribery ring. The accused- which included Lori Loughlin, Felicity Huffman, David Sidoo, Gamal Aziz and many, many more- were found to have paid exorbitant amounts of money to have their children's testing scores and extra curricular credentials changed- if not outright fabricated- in order to essentially buy their way into prestigious universities around the country in what was deemed "Operation Varsity Blues."
While many of the accused plead guilty over the following months- serving brief sentences and paying hefty fines as punishment for their participation- it was Lori Louglin's nonchalant attitude towards the whole scandal that caught everyone's attention. She has outright denied any wrongdoing despite what looks like substantial evidence against her- and faces up to 40 years in prison if convicted.
I have a feeling I'll be revisiting this one by the end of 2020.
(via HBO)
IT'S FINALLY OVER: As confusing and often convoluted as 'Game Of Thrones' could be throughout it's eight seasons- I enjoyed the show. It was filled with compelling characters, plenty of surprising twists, a LOT of sex and violence- and it's cast have long since become familiar and household names.
By it's final season this past year, however- things began to unravel- which was not surprising since the series did not have sturdy source material to follow as it had outpaced the published novels in which it was based on. The story became predictable and dull- and multiple gaffes throughout the season (including visible Starbucks cups and water bottles in various scenes) brought heavy criticism against the directors' perceived "laziness"- as well as plenty of memes.
In May, the final episode of the last season aired- and the ending divided longtime fans between those who thought it was an appropriate and well-rounded finale- and others (like me!) who were left underwhelmed and disappointed.
Here's hoping whenever "The Walking Dead" wraps up that the writers take some notes on what to do and not do in terms of setting off a social media frenzy.
(via BBC)
The Climate Crisis Crusaders: If there was still any speculation by cynical and overly harsh Baby Boomers that the world was going to be left in the hands of lazy or self-indulgent children/teenagers- they need not worry. The future generations proved that they have a lot more on their minds than social media and getting"likes" these days- particularly in 2019 when the ongoing climate crisis became the central focus of youths around the world who were/are actively working to reverse and prevent years' worth of damages that are threatening the only home we have.
With Sweden's Greta Thunberg at the front lines- taking the brunt of unfair criticism and mockery from adult climate change deniers (like President Trump, for example-) the 16-year old inspired countless others of all ages to reevaluate their carbon footprint, make significant changes to their lifestyles to prevent further damages to the environment while supporting/providing funding for projects looking to do the same on larger scales.
And despite attempts to detract her message or silence her- Greta's efforts paid off- as she was named TIME Magazine's "Person of The Year" in 2019.
(via Reuters)
The Hong Kong and Santiago Protests: Additionally, all generations took to the streets in wide scale fashion in 2019. In Hong Kong, protesters continue to fight back to show their disapproval following the introduction of the Fugitive Offenders Amendment Bill as it could have potentially lead to direct violations of citizens' and those visiting the country's civil liberties if it had been put into effect. The protests have resulted in multiple clashes between protesters and the police, as well as between protesters and counter-protesters- with two deaths reported to date. Thousands of injuries and arrests have also taken place.
However, the protests (that sometimes turned into riots) appeared to be effective- with the bill being withdrawn in the Fall.
Additionally, Santiago saw it's own share of protests/rioting that began in October following increases to the city's public transportation and overall cost of living. Citizens took to the streets to show their frustrations with perceived inequality and demanded reform in their wages, healthcare and education. These protests, however- resulted in many more deaths and injuries- mostly due to fires set around the city.
Both protests remain ongoing.
(via The Weather Channel)
Hurricane Dorian and the Australian Bushfires: Like every year before it, 2019 was no stranger to natural disasters- some more severe than others and some still happening as we speak. One of the worst and most catastrophic events took place back in September when Hurricane Dorian- a Category 5 hurricane with recorded wind speeds of 185 MPH hit the Bahamas head on- resulting in over 70 fatalities (and counting, as hundreds are still missing) and billions of dollars worth of damages.
And presently ongoing in Australia, deadly and dangerous bushfires continue to sweep through the area- worsened with dry conditions and little to no rain. As homes are destroyed and acres of land are reduced to nothing- eyes have been on the koala population- which suffered a significant hit and resulted in a rise in donations to local koala hospitals that have been working round the clock to tend to dehydrated and injured bears who have no habitat to return to.
We lost people along the way: And, like every year before it- we had to say goodbye to a few beloved names and faces in 2019, too. Some losses, while not necessarily anticipated- were easier to bear given old age or ongoing illnesses- as was the case with Doris Day or Albert Finney.
Some passings, however- were completely unexpected. Luke Perry, who died of a stroke at the age of 52 in March- comes to mind almost immediately. As does The Cars' Ric Ocasek, who died unexpectedly following complications from surgery in September.
We also lost internet legend and the base of so many memes in May when Tardar Sauce, AKA "Grumpy Cat"- passed away following an infection. I'm still insanely sad about that one, really.
Now, as is the tradition with all of my yearly reviews- there are a few things I wanted to include but wasn't quite sure where to place them- and as a result they've ended up here in the "Honorable Mentions" section. Important moments, events, pop culture trends- but not quite as extensive, intricate and detailed as politics, global movements, scandals and scientific breakthroughs.
Nonetheless- they helped shape 2019!
– Baby Archie!!: When Meghan Markle and Prince Harry tied the knot, it was definitely a big moment and a highlight of 2018- and the birth of their first child earlier this year was certainly cause for celebration. With tabloids being unnecessarily cruel and invasive towards Markle for the duration of her pregnancy and well after she had given birth- there were concerns the new mother may crack under the pressure of the non-stop scrutiny that had plagued her mother-in-law for years leading up to her death. But the Duchess persevered with a strong showing of grace and class- and the newest addition to the Royal Family is absolutely adorable.
– Baby Yoda: The only other baby to make his way into the wrap-up with potential royal status. Everyone knew Disney+'s new series, "The Mandalorian," was going to be great- but nobody expected that the breakout star of the show and fan favorite would be a puppet. Baby Yoda (aka, "The Child,")– has sparked countless memes, merchandise and conversations- and for good reason. It just might be the cutest thing I've ever seen in my life. I couldn't even tell you what happened in the most recent episode because I spent the whole time worrying about Baby Yoda.
And I'm perfectly content with Baby Yoda continuing his reign of cuteness into 2020, honestly.
– Jussie Smollett: In January of 2019, "Empire" star Jussie Smollett made headlines after he sustained injuries in an early morning attack that was investigated as a possible hate crime given the actor's race and sexual orientation. As preliminary details emerged- there was an outpouring of support for Smollett and a call for those responsible to be found and face justice.
Things took a turn for the strange, however- when the completed investigation revealed that Smollett himself was responsible for orchestrating the attack in an apparent attempt to increase his pay on "Empire." After hiring two men to stage the assault- Smollett was charged with filing a false police report- a felony.
The charges were later dropped, but it's unlikely Smollett's reputation and career will ever recover.
– The 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup Final: I am admittedly not too into soccer, but even I had a blast watching the Women's World Cup Finals earlier this Summer when the United States secured a 2-0 victory over the Netherlands. It was impossible not to get swept up into the frenzy of it all- especially considering the ongoing struggle for women athletes to be paid as much as their male counterparts was still very much a hot issue that was brought up over the course of the finals as the team gave it everything they had.
With Megan Rapinoe as the standout star of the team for her efficiency on the field and both her outspokenness and philanthropy off of it- she was later named as Sports Illustrated's 2019 Sportsperson of the Year.
– Comic Book Movies Continued Their Momentum: After years of comic/superhero juggernauts Marvel and DC reining supreme at the Box Office- 2019 was the year of the blockbuster finales and highly anticipated re-imaginings of notorious characters/stories.
Whether it was Marvel's ambitious conclusion to their Avengers series with "Endgame" or DC's darker, grittier and more violent interpretation of how The Joker came to be- crowds flocked to the theaters and records were once again broken over the course of the films' respective opening weekends.
With more comic/superhero movies expected to be coming down the pipeline over the next few years- I don't think any will compare to the cinematic showdown we saw happen in 2019.
And there you have it- 2019: In a Nutshell!
I know there were plenty of other headlines, trends, memes, and wild/bizarre moments I more than likely missed- but those are the things that stood out to me when I began reflecting on this past year about a month or so ago. I'd like to think I did a pretty good job covering some of the prominently discussed things,
For New Year's Eve tonight, Troy and I are venturing back to Boston for dinner and a quiet night in the Theater District with some champagne and what I'm hoping will be a spectacular view of the city to close out the decade and usher in 2020.
And I'm sure I'll have plenty of photos from the evening.
But, before I depart to get dolled up and ready to go- I wanted to share some of my resolutions for 2020. It's a pretty standard, typical list- the type you'd see from nearly anyone making resolutions- but I'm ambitious and eager to see if I can accomplish any of them by the time 2021 rolls around.
Get Healthier/Take Better Care of Myself: This is the one that makes the rounds on everyone's resolutions list- but for me it's a necessity. While I make conscious efforts to eat right, work out regularly and sleep fully and undisturbed at night- I have admittedly become a bit more lax about it since my move to the new apartment this past Spring and it shows. I don't think I look as great as I could and I certainly don't feel as great as I *should*– and I'm more depressed and lethargic as a result. It's all connected and can turn into a pretty vicious cycle.
In 2020 I want to continue my efforts in the gym, be more mindful of what I'm eating (instead of "bored snacking") and make it a point to get a full night's rest so I'm not dragging myself to work every day. Additionally, I want to be more strict about my skincare, more mindful of the makeup I use, and treat myself to occasional small, relaxing luxuries- like facials or massages- to better improve my mood and reduce unnecessary stress and tension instead of letting it interfere with taking care of myself properly.
Budget Better: Living alone has taught me many things- most of them how to fix appliances via YouTube tutorials or the wonders of decorating more than just a bedroom or a bathroom at a time- but it's also taught me to be more wise and considerate of my spending.
Gone are the days of frivolous shopping sprees and extravagant gift-giving- and in are the days of monitoring my accounts/credit score regularly, making wise and thought out purchases instead of impulse buys- and setting a weekly/monthly budget for myself to ensure my priority bills are taken care of and that there's still enough left over to enjoy myself from time to time.
Travel/Experience More: The money that I save to treat myself will not be used on purchasing a brand new wardrobe or a closet full of shoes- but on experiences. I want to travel more in 2020- including to places that have been on my longtime bucket list like New Orleans or Nashville.
It's easy to take an amazing trip without spending a fortune these days with help from things like AirBnB and the airline points I've racked up over the years- so my next adventure is hopefully right around the corner and one for the books!
Channel My Passions: I love, love, love working at Indie617. It's a job that brings me genuine joy- so in 2020 I'd like to focus more on what I can do to become more involved- as well as finding other side hustles/jobs that spark my creativity and leave me feeling inspired and fulfilled.
It's good I'm living in the Pioneer Valley- where so many artists with so many ideas flock to leave their mark on the world.
And I just may be one of them in 2020!
And that just about does it for me, everyone. I'm off to Boston and I'll be back with big blog news bright and early on Thursday morning after I get back!
I wish you all the happiest of New Years and I hope that 2020 is better, or more peaceful, or more adventurous, or more kind and gentle- to anyone out there who needs it. I'm rooting for you!
See you all soon!
Dinner Parties and Resolutions…
January 16, 2019 January 24, 2019 by Ashley DeLargeLeave a Comment on Dinner Parties and Resolutions…
Good Morning and Happy "Hump Day", everyone!
I hope you're all having a fabulous week so far. I, personally, have been enjoying a little downtime following last week's insane amount of work, hustle and back-to-back commitments! It's nice to have a little time to catch up on some of the things on my "to watch" list on Netflix, curl up with a good book of magazine, play some video games- or mix all three with friends during a bundled up dinner party and game night like I did this past weekend when it was too cold to go outside- so we opted for some indoor fun, instead!
Our menu was simple but filling- wheat linguine with chicken and vegetables tossed in a cream sauce with some garlic bread. It was just so nice to stay warm and toasty and eat together, goof around, and catch-up with one another since it's been undoubtedly crazy and non-stop movement since the holidays!
Which brings me to the point of this post- staying organized and sticking to goals! I know we all go into the New Year with the best of intentions, big goals/aspirations and earnestly plan to fully commit to achieving them- but by mid-to-late January we might pause and ask ourselves "wait, I have to do this for the whole year?"
I know I certainly get like that- which was a contributing factor to my not reaching some of the resolutions I had set for myself in 2018… And 2017…. And maybe 2016…
… You get the picture.
But while I'm usually holding my head in my hands and sighing in disbelief at my own lack of commitment by this time every year- I've actually found a lot of success by implementing one or two different techniques into my daily routine these past couple of weeks- and also by making just a few small, minor changes in how I do/approach things and which don't disrupt my life in any capacity.
I figured I'd list them here- in the hopes they may help someone else reach their goals, too!
Invest in a planner- and note it daily. We're all digital these days- and everything we need to do/want to do is made even more convenient with the click of a button or an app- but I've found that writing things down in a planner (and picking out a pretty one is half the fun!) not only keeps me from forgetting important dates/times/due dates/plans that I may otherwise overlook while navigating through multiple applications I have open on my phone/computer at any given time- but there's something really satisfying about crossing off the things I've accomplished each day as I go!
Additionally, I set small goals for myself at the beginning of each month and write them down in my planner, as well. It can be something as simple as renewing my passport before my birthday to something a bit more challenging- like running for a longer distance than what I'm used to when I go for a jog or doing 100 more squats- but having them in writing is a daily reminder that I have something to work towards. And, if I don't want to have to do them the following month on top of other things I end up jotting down- I'm more inclined to accomplish them!
Build and commit to a schedule and a time frame that boosts your productivity: My job can get absolutely crazy sometimes- i.e., the holidays- and throughout 2018 I found myself getting overwhelmed, irritable, and coming into the office earlier/staying later than I or anyone else should ever have to do because I wanted to get things done. It ended up burning me out and really wearing me down- until I tried a trick a friend (who also has a pretty hectic office job) taught me.
I developed a time frame for every work day and dedicated certain tasks to fit into those time frames. They are the only things I focus on/get done until time is up and I move onto the next designated block of time/tasks. For example, I go into work at 7:30 a.m. From then until 9 a.m. I am drafting legal paperwork (and listening to music) since it's the only time of day where my phone isn't ringing off the hook and I can focus.
From 9 until 11, I am making calls and responding to e-mails, and from 11-1 I'm going through tasks, cleaning up files, etc. until I take a lunch break at 1- return at 2- and close out the last couple of hours of my day finishing up anything I didn't get to in the morning. Since I started adhering to this semi-strict time allowance- I've been able to leave on time and not have to worry about things not being done- and it's been amazing,
Factor in self-care and healthy choices, too: Of course, setting specific times and tasks for those times doesn't just include work or office duties- but good choices for my body/mind, as well! During work I always make it a point to get up and stretch/take a quick walk and drink plenty of water- and after I leave the office for the day and have a light dinner- I allot a period of time to get some yoga/cycling/cardio in.
It may be Winter, but that doesn't mean I can't work out from the comfort of home or the gym!
It's also crucial for me to schedule in some self-care. Be it catching up on a couple of episodes of a show I'm watching on my couch, taking a bubble bath, coming up with content for the blog, etc. My schedule may not be as strict when I'm not in the office- but it's important for me to find that time where I can just take a deep breath, unplug from the world, relax and re-center myself.
Don't beat yourself up- and allow yourself cheat days/days off: Listen, life happens- and things can come up without a moment's notice that disrupt our schedules and plans- and that's okay. If a day gets muddled up- it's not the end of the world and you can start fresh the next day. If I were to say this plan has been implemented perfectly day in and day out without the occasional hiccup or setback along the way, I'd be lying- because sometimes I can be impulsive and run off to do something "just because"- that conflicts with my schedule or things I need to get done- but it hasn't stopped me and I haven't given up.
More importantly, you have to give yourself some "cheat days" or some time to indulge- especially those of us looking to be healthier or get into better shape. Don't deprive yourself of the good, even gluttonous things in life- because you shouldn't have to be miserable while you're working hard to achieve your goals. Moderation is key- and if you reward yourself from time to time- it'll be easier to get back on track than it would be if you didn't stop to smell the roses (metaphorically, of course) at all.
For me, my "cheat days" or days to do whatever I want are reserved for the weekends- where I'm free to go wherever I want, stay out late without wearing myself out, etc. Then, come Monday- it's back to work and back to focusing on the things I want to accomplish that month/this year.
I know it's still very early on in 2019, but those are the things I've been doing as of late and I've already seen wonderful results in regards to reaching my goals, better managing my time, increasing my productivity- and cutting down on stress!
I feel if I keep going forward with these tips/tricks and maybe implement new ones along the way- I will remain on top of my game and make 2019 a really successful year!
But, time is money- and I'm at work- so it's off to get things done and prepare for my half day tomorrow (where I'm cooking up something really delicious for Friday!) and finalize some pre-birthday plans for this weekend!
If you'd like to share some of your own tips/tricks for sticking to your goals, staying organized, and time management- I would absolutely love to hear them! Please feel free to drop me a line or leave a comment.
Have a great rest of your Wednesday, everybody!
January 4, 2019 January 11, 2019 by Ashley DeLargeLeave a Comment on New Year, New York…
Good Morning and Happy Friday, everyone!
What an absolutely fun, exciting and beautiful past few days I've had! Even coming back to my office on Wednesday morning to return to my usual weekday grind has been enjoyable- thanks in part to a new scheduling system I've been utilizing to better manage my time/tasks. I have to say that starting my 2019 *not* being inundated with cases and loose ends is a nice change of pace.
Of course, I have to talk about my New Year's Eve and New Year's Day- which was spent between New York City, Western Massachusetts and finally- home sweet home.
I had wanted a cozy, laid-back New Year's Eve- particularly since the past few celebrations over recent years have involved expensive, extravagant parties, bar-hopping, and/or spending entirely too much time in bitterly frigid New England cold. To see out 2018 and welcome in 2019- I just wanted to be warm, comfortable, have some decent food and a drink- and be somewhere a little different than Massachusetts so I could have a new experience to start the New Year off on the right foot.
And so, I turned to NYC- and entrusted my evening to the fine folks at the Hotel Indigo on the Lower East Side. I'm a frequent guest at their San Diego/Gaslamp Quarter location whenever I travel to the West Coast- so their incredible service, a spacious room with a view, and kick-ass amenities were not surprising. What was surprising was their lobby (with a wrap-around panoramic view of the city via floor to ceiling windows) being located on the 14th floor as opposed to on the ground level. I was a big fan of that twist.
I settled right in, ordered a fantastic cheeseburger from their Mr. Purple restaurant (and some cheesecake! I had to go big and gluttonous for the last night of the year!), grabbed a drink at a dive bar down the street while dodging the rain as much as possible- and then retreated to my room where I texted/video chatted with friends back home and abroad while we waited for the countdown to midnight via various news outlets. I opted to watch Anderson Cooper take shots of tequila and look like he was ready to throw up- and it was worth every minute. Truly.
After midnight, it didn't take long for my body to give into the cheeseburger, champagne, and a day of train travel to arrive in New York- and I managed to successfully get a full night of peaceful, uninterrupted sleep. I awoke on New Year's Day feeling refreshed, energized- and pleasantly optimistic! Even better? Monday night's rainstorms and freezing cold had disappeared- and Tuesday saw plenty of sun and temperatures that reached the high fifties/low sixties for most of the day!
To kick off 2019, I wanted to honor a family tradition *and* do something different and daring. When I was a kid, my mother thought lighting a candle and saying a prayer to whatever higher power we believed in to wish our loved ones a blessed new year and express hope for our own happiness/prosperity for the months ahead. After grabbing breakfast- I had navigated my way to Rockefeller Center- and popped by St. Patrick's Cathedral across the street to honor my mom's tradition (I called her to let her know afterwards- and she was delighted!) and take in the beautiful architecture.
The city was still very much decked out for Christmas during my brief stay- and it was such a thrill to have a chance to catch a glimpse of some of the over-the-top decor before it gets taken down again. Below are a couple of photos I snapped with my phone. You can click them to enlarge 'em and see!
And, for my "different and daring" to-do for the day- I opted to face my fear of heights and ride an elevator 70 stories up Rockefeller Center to take in the views of New York from atop of the world at the 'Top of The Rock' Observation Deck. While the wind made things a little intimidating at first and it took a few minutes for my heart to stop racing- it was such an exhilarating and memorable experience.
The sun made catching photos of the Empire State Building (and snapping the perfect selfie) a little difficult- but I managed to get a few pics I was content with- and would definitely go back and do it again if given the opportunity.
After coming back down to Earth- and knowing I had plans with my friend Troy later on in the evening out in Northampton, Massachusetts- I managed to catch an early afternoon train home before the crowds and traffic got too bad with everyone trying to get out of the city all at once.
Once I was back in my home state a couple of hours later, I closed out New Year's Day with a cozy night in watching movies and snacking on whatever was in Troy's kitchen before I headed back to my own place to get another good night's sleep and prepare for my return to work on Wednesday morning.
And now, only a couple of days later during this short work-week- and I'm ready for the weekend! I have a few things planned- including some local travel/hiking and a recipe post to put together for next week- but before I start all of that- I'm heading over to Allston today to catch a set by The Sheila Divine at Great Scott for Indie617!
If you're in the area, come say hello! It's going to be a lot of fun and a great way to kick off live music in Boston for 2019.
I'm off to get some work done before I take off for the rest of the day. I'll be back on Monday, when my posting schedule returns to normal now that the holidays are done!
December 31, 2018 January 9, 2019 by Ashley DeLargeLeave a Comment on 2018: In a Nutshell
Good Morning, Happy Monday- and Happy New Year's Eve, everyone!
I'm completely stunned that we've reached this point again- the day/night when we bid adieu to another year in the books and prepare to welcome in a brand new year (with champagne and confetti, I'm sure!) filled with endless possibilities, new hopes, dreams and goals- maybe a little anxiety at the idea of any uncertainties that lay ahead, too- but hopefully a whole lot of optimism!
That's right, my dear friends and readers- 2018 is just hours away from being over, and 2019 is ready to glide into our lives and sweep us off our feet! Can you believe it? Time flies by so quickly.
I've always enjoyed New Year's Eve/New Year's Day- not only because I'm fortunate enough to spend it in typically beautiful, picturesque or just plain wild locations, either surrounded by friends or- sometimes- on my own with some much-needed peace and quiet- but also because I like the idea of a clean slate. How, after just a brief countdown to midnight- you can begin to forge a pathway to a future you want and take those first steps to reaching goals for the coming weeks/months ahead.
New Year's Eve is a celebration of who you were during the previous twelve months leading up to now- while New Year's Day feels like a whole new beginning and a chance to become the person you want to be. It's refreshing, isn't it?
I fully intend to share my plans for the evening and my deeply reflected-upon resolutions for 2019 momentarily- but I absolutely have to look back on and pay my respects to 2018, first. It was a bizarre year- filled with plenty of ups and downs and some memorable headlines, pop culture events and good ol' memes (which I'll also get to shortly.)
Now in my early thirties, 2018 was the year I became *painfully* aware of myself as a person- my strengths and weaknesses. My good qualities and my flaws. My past mistakes- some repeated without my even realizing it until recently- and the type of woman I want to be and what I want for myself while moving forward in this more "grown up", somewhat more stable (but still semi-unpredictable at times), very fun and sometimes treacherous decade I'm clumsily working my way through with the best of my ability.
Professionally, I took on more responsibilities at my full-time job and rose to the challenges that came with those responsibilities- as exhausting as it could be sometimes. I put in plenty of time and effort over the year- and my dedication and careful eye to details were rewarded sporadically and, at times- when I most needed the pick-me-up to stay motivated. My work ethic and positive, professional attitude didn't just stay within my office, however- but also trickled into my blogging side hustle as I partnered with different brands and fellow bloggers for promotions and products- and even landed me a soon-to-be-part-time-gig at my favorite local independent radio station in Boston. I'm going to have more info on that moving forward!
My personal life and love life, however- took a bit of a hit in 2018 and I suffered emotional and psychological setbacks that really put a lot of things into perspective for me. One of those things, specifically- is that I need to stop being *so* forgiving to people (particularly men) who do me wrong or hurt me. Almost everyone deserves a second chance- depending on the infraction, of course- but I found myself giving second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth chances to some fair-weather friends or men I'd dated for repeated terrible behavior because they had either manipulated/twisted the situation and me into thinking everything was my fault, I didn't want to come across as a heartless or callous monster- or because I was too afraid of being alone to put my foot down and demand respect and to be treated better.
As someone who preaches self-love, not taking bullshit from anyone and never being afraid of your own independence to everyone and anyone- catching myself being reduced into a quiet, demure, overly apologetic and timid little doormat over the course of the Summer and Fall of 2018 was horrifying and, frankly- disgusting. I am not that woman. I never want to be that woman again.
It wasn't until these recent holidays where I mustered up the courage to not only tell myself but actually *believe* that I deserved the world and I wasn't going to stop or back down until I got it- and to hell with anyone who disagreed or tried to tell me otherwise. It's a frame of mind, an attitude and a mood I intend to carry with me into 2019.
Apart from dating/self-esteem setbacks- 2018 was filled with travel and time spent with good friends and family. I spent my birthday in San Diego, the Super Bowl in Vegas, multiple Spring weekends away in NYC, Memorial Day in Washington D.C.- and an extended vacation driving through the desert during the Summer.
I survived a tornado (and a car accident), caught plenty of incredible shows/festivals (and a couple of weddings!)– and explored parts of New England I didn't even know existed. I also continued to change my hair color, experiment in the kitchen, watched loads of bad movies (and loved them, of course!) and even found time to read a couple of great books, too!
And for all those reasons- good and bad- that's why 2018 was a year of personal growth and reflection- while simultaneously having a lot of impulsive, lovely and very fun moments to keep me on my toes and balance out the serious stuff with joy and happiness, as well. I'm humbled and grateful for this past year. Truly.
But, before I get into my list of resolutions and a final farewell prior to taking off for the evening and returning a little later on this week to recap my New Year's Eve/Day- it's time to look back on some of the absolutely insane, awe-inspiring headlines, pop culture sensations and social media/internet memes that took the world by storm this year.
Ladies and Gentlemen- This is 2018: In a Nutshell.
(Image via ABC)
Robert Mueller handed out indictments like Oprah used to hand out cars: As we drearily move forward through Trump's tenure as President, heads typically in our hands on a daily basis in disbelief at his stupidity, recklessness, hypocrisy, narcissism or compulsive lying (I could go on, really…), Special Counsel Robert Mueller had himself quite a year as he continued his investigation into the Trump Administration and the Russian government's interference with our 2016 Presidential election.
Late 2017 and throughout 2018 saw indictments being passed around left and right to former campaign heads and aides to Trump, including former campaign chair Paul Manafort, former national security adviser Michael Flynn, Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen and so on. As the year progressed, some were sentenced to prison while others have struck plea deals.
Court documents released earlier this month from both Mueller's office and prosecutors for the Southern District of New York have now implicated Trump in at least one federal crime- and as the world waits to see what will happen next- it's no surprise that many of us are hoping Mueller will wrap things up in this coming year and finally put an end to this nightmare of ignorance and corruption running (and ruining) our country.
(Image via The Today Show)
The Stoneman Douglas High School students showed us that you can do more than offer "thoughts and prayers" in the wake of gun violence: Following a Valentine's Day shooting at their high school in Parkland, Florida that left 17 dead and many more injured- the survivors at Stoneman Douglas High School turned into some of the most efficient and eloquent gun control activists many had ever seen.
Tired of simply being swept away as another senseless statistic after the initial influx of "thoughts and prayers" ran their usual course until the next mass shooting took place- and not wanting their concerns to be dismissed simply because the topic was uncomfortable or inconvenient for officials to tackle head-on- many students rallied, petitioned, utilized social media and eventually took on politicians and the NRA in televised debates that showed the world they knew what they were talking about and weren't going to be bullied or bought into silence.
The march, it's purpose being to raise awareness and push for common sense gun laws and a change in political climate- took place globally on March 24th and included speeches from survivors of gun violence and celebrities who stood in solidarity. While some policies have changed as a result- there's still a lot to be done- but the march got people to pay attention for what felt like the first time in a very, very long time.
(Image via CBS)
Thousands of children were separated from their families, and all eyes were on the U.S.-Mexico border: Under Trump's "Zero-Tolerance" immigration policy, which looks to criminally prosecute any person(s) attempting to enter the country illegally- it came to light in the late Spring/early Summer that thousands of children, many whose first language is not English- had been separated from their parents by Border Patrol over the course of a six-week span and were residing in detention centers- or, in some cases- "tent cities."
Outrage was amplified when reports of neglect/child abuse in the detention centers began to surface- and a call for reunification and an outpouring of support/donations to assist families seeking asylum (which is *not* illegal) followed shortly thereafter.
While some children have been fortunate enough to be reunited with their families- many are still in need of help. Back in June I shared some links to organizations that have been working round-the-clock to assist these children and their parents with the immigration process- and there's still time to donate time/money!
This man-child loves beer- and throwing temper tantrums: When Judge Brett Kavanaugh was nominated by Trump for the Supreme Court in July- accusations of sexual misconduct and sexual assault were not far behind. At the center of the scandal was Christine Blasey Ford, a Professor at Palo Alto University who alleged that Kavanaugh had sexually assaulted her at a house party in the early 1980s with writer Mark Judge present.
Following an initial investigation which included the review of therapist notes where Ford had discussed the assault as early as 2012, her passing a polygraph test and the emergence of two other victims who shared their own experiences with Kavanaugh throughout high school and college- both he and Ford testified in front of the The Senate Judiciary Committee in September in order to determine if he was fit for the lifetime position he had been nominated for.
Ford- calm and collected during her televised testimony- answered questions and faced interruptions and outright misogynistic commentary from fossilized white men with grace. Kavanaugh, on the other hand- had a meltdown- going off the rails about his love of beer and getting confrontational with questioning. Despite all this, Kavanaugh's nomination was confirmed by a vote of 50–48 in early October and Ford was continually harassed, threatened, and insulted by Trump & Associates, conservative news pundits- and MAGA-bots on social media.
And for survivors of sexual assault (myself included)– nothing made us realize the #MeToo movement still has more work to do than watching this unfold.
(Image via VOX)
The 'War on Journalists' was a very real, very violent one: On October 2nd, Saudi Arabian journalist and author Jamal Khashoggi entered the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul to obtain documents for his marriage- and never came out. Khashoggi, who had been highly critical of the crowned King and Prince of Saudi Arabia and was subsequently censored as a result- had been living in a self-imposed exile before reporting to the consulate.
When reports began to emerge that Khashoggi had been killed and dismembered within the building- the Saudi Arabian government did their best to shift the blame and deny the allegations being made. Following a CIA investigation, it was reported that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had ordered the killing- presumably due to Khashoggi's vocal opposition to both the Prince and the King, Salman of Saudi Arabia.
In the aftermath, Trump- notorious for his hatred of the press and journalists- refused to condemn the assassination, resulting in even more backlash against him. Time Magazine, on the other hand- opting to defend a free press- made Khashoggi and other journalists who faced recent violence or imprisonment for their reporting their 2018 'Person of the Year'.
(Images via MSNBC and ABC)
Mother Nature made sure to cover all the bases- including a 4-month long volcanic eruption: No year passes without at least a few natural disasters or weather phenomenons- and 2018 was no exception to that rule. Apart from the aforementioned tornado that struck my hometown over the Summer (while I was visiting, mind you. THAT was fun)– this past year saw powerful earthquakes in Alaska, intense and deadly wildfires in Southern California, and a four-month long volcanic eruption in Hawaii that injured dozens and caused over $800 million in damage.
Most recently, the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau last weekend triggered a nighttime tsunami that caught Indonesia off guard. Hundreds have been killed, many are injured, and search/recovery and cleanup efforts are still underway. CNN compiled a list of non-profit organizations that are assisting the affected areas- and you can review their efforts and make contributions/donations by CLICKING HERE.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed and wishing us all a tamer, safer 2019 when it comes to the weather and climate change.
(Image via Vanity Fair)
It wasn't all bad news this year. We got another Royal Wedding!: I love a good fairy tale love story as much as the next person- especially when at least one (if not both) of the people are real and relatable. Such was the case when everyone's favorite ginger Prince married down-to-Earth American actress Meghan Markle in a lovely (and televised) ceremony in the Spring.
Meghan- stylish, beautiful, charitable and outspoken- particularly when it comes to gender equality- was a breath of fresh air from the usual Royal Family headlines (i.e.- Kate Middleton is expecting quintuplets and Princess Diana has been spotted alive and well n Barbados, apparently.)
Although the tabloids were pretty much ready to pounce on her from the get-go- and more than one bitter old racist attempted to take shots at Meghan's multi-race heritage and a prior divorce- the Duchess of Sussex continued to look flawless and happy throughout the remainder of 2018- and announced her pregnancy this past Fall. The baby (seventh in line to the throne) is due in the Spring of 2019.
And some people were held accountable for terrible and predatory behavior: 2018 was the year that rapists, racists/bigots and brainless internet celebrities finally saw some comeuppance for problematic and downright vile behavior- some of it long overdue after years of abusing their power and celebrity status.
One of the biggest stories was Bill Cosby, after years of evading justice for drugging and sexually assaulting multiple women over the span of his career- was found guilty of three counts of aggravated and indecent assault in April, stemming from a 2004 incident that was still within the statute of limitations. He was sentenced to three to ten years in state prison this past September.
In May, comedian Roseanne Barr, no stranger to controversy and poor taste- tweeted a racist remark to Valerie Jarrett, an adviser to former President Barack Obama- a comment she later blamed on using/abusing Ambien. A vocal Trump supporter, many of the President's die hard followers came to her defense (many of them the same people who called for the public execution of Kathy Griffin after her equally awful "beheading" video, by the way)– but their efforts were of no use. Barr was kicked off of her own 'Roseanne' reboot, later re-named 'The Conners'- and publicly shunned.
While technology, social media and the internet have opened doors and changed the way in which we consume and deliver content forever- some of the unfortunate risks that come with the ease and speed of communication is that really awful, insufferable people can develop a following and go on to do some really stupid things. Such was the case with "YouTube/Vlogging" star Logan Paul (I'll let you take a minute to look him up and cringe accordingly)– who faced backlash after a video uploaded on New Year's Day depicted himself and friends coming across a dead body in Japan's Aokigahara Forest.
Paul's amused reaction to the scene resulted in advertisers cutting ties and his projects being put on hold. It also sparked a conversation about the type of content and role models younger teens/children were consuming and looking up to.
"Be Better 2019" is a motto I'm hoping more people embrace this coming year.
We also witnessed a miracle in Thailand: While exploring a cave with their coach during a post-practice outing and birthday celebration for one of their team members in June of 2018, twelve youth soccer players from the local 'Wild Boars' team in Thailand found themselves trapped within the labyrinth-like caverns after heavy rainfall caused substantial flooding in the area and rising waters blocked their way out.
After a comprehensive search and rescue mission was developed, a team of skilled divers went into the waters in July to extract the boys (and their coach) one by one- each mission lasting approximately three hours as the children were fitted with wetsuits, oxygen masks and sedated to prevent panic- and maneuvered through narrow corridors with low visibility from checkpoint to checkpoint until they reached the exit to the cave and were transported to local hospitals for evaluations and recovery. The extraction of the team took approximately two days total.
Leading up to the execution of the rescue mission, a 37 year old rescue diver died after losing consciousness underwater while delivering oxygen tanks to one of the proposed checkpoints in preparation for the boys' extraction.
On the brighter side- all of the children and their coach ended up being just fine. They have since gone on to make appearances on Ellen and were invited to the opening ceremony of the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires- and there's rumors of a possible movie deal is in the works.
(Images compiled via multiple news sources.)
Unfortunately, we did lose our fair share of beloved and influential familiar faces this year: Just like wild and unpredictable weather- no year passes without the loss of cherished actors/actresses, musicians, public figures and influential icons- and in 2018 we said goodbye to some of the best.
Some deaths, like Stan Lee, Aretha Franklin and Stephen Hawking- came from natural causes or succumbing to longtime illnesses- while others, including a string of suicides by Kate Spade, Anthony Bourdain, and Frightened Rabbits' singer Scott Hutchison- shocked and devastated the world and brought discussions of better mental health awareness and support systems to the forefront.
May their work and their legacies carry on into 2019 and beyond.
Of course, there's so much more that happened this year- but those were the headlines and the highlights from 2018 that really stuck out to me and made a lasting impression when I first began putting this post together a few weeks ago!
But for some of the pop culture phenomenons, memes, and funnier moments from this past year that still make me grin- I created another HONORABLE MENTIONS section- much like I did in 2017!
– Wakanda Forever: Following the February release of Marvel's 'Black Panther'- the movie quickly became one of the most successful and acclaimed comic-book movies to date- and the ninth highest-grossing movie of all time. While there were plenty of memes to follow, the film's "Wakanda Forever" quote and salute were inescapable- with everyone from athletes, schoolchildren and news pundits jumping on board. At one point, Michael B. Jordan- who plays Killmonger in the film- urged people to stop asking his co-star Chadwick Boseman to do the salute. That's how popular it was.
– Gritty was the hero we needed and deserved: When the Philadelphia Flyers revealed their new mascot- Gritty- in September 2018, it was met with mixed reactions. The tall, furry orange… thing- which looks like a googly eyed muppet- was initially mocked until crowds began to warm up to his appearances at games, antics at events, and how savvy his official social media account was being run. It didn't take long for Gritty to become an unexpected socialist and antifa icon- with his likeness appearing on multiple signs/banners at protests against racism and bigotry around Philadelphia. More Gritty 2019, please!
– We were briefly entranced by a boy yodeling in Walmart: "In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes," Andy Warhol once said- and I think 2018 showed how true a statement that was when Mason Ramsey, a young boy from Illinois- was filmed yodeling Hank Williams Sr.'s "Lovesick Blues" while donning a bow tie and boots in the middle of a Walmart. Once the video went viral- Mason was everywhere- from Ellen to Coachella. He recently released a Christmas music video, and was on tour (yes, really…)
– Toys-R-Us joined Blockbuster Video as a relic of the past: Although Toys-R-Us announced their intentions to close all of their retail stores back in March of this year after filing for bankruptcy in 2017- it wasn't until the actual completion of the process and the closing of the final store on August 5th where the nostalgia really hit home for many people (myself included) who remembered buying our toys there in a pre-Amazon era. As more and more chain and/or department stores start to become outdated with the convenience of online shopping- I'm left wondering who will be next on the chopping block.
– 'Queer Eye' is back and better than ever: I was late to the 'Queer Eye' revival party since I'm currently binge-watching so many shows and trying to catch up on multiple seasons when I'm able- but I'm so glad I finally got around to watching 'Queer Eye' because the new cast and the heartwarming tone of the show is seriously a much-needed break from the insanity going on in the world these days. I'm already doing the "grabby hands" motion while I wait for new episodes in the coming new year. Yassss!
And there you have it, everyone! 2018 in a nutshell!
Now, to say a fond farewell to this past year and welcome 2019 in style- I'll be heading to NYC a little later on this afternoon. No, I'm not going to be freezing in Times Square with thousands of other people, thank you very much- but I *am* going to be watching the ball drop from my TV in a penthouse suite I booked in the Lower East Side that boasts an incredible view of the New York City skyline!
It's going to be thermal pajamas, room service, and champagne being sipped in a California King bed for me tonight- and then tomorrow, before I head back to frigid Massachusetts once again- I'm going to be doing a bit of sight-seeing and shopping around the city.
Treat Yo'Self 2018 might trickle into 2019, I think.
Of course, I have resolutions- since I actually like to set both short and long-term goals for myself and enjoy the process of working towards them, tracking my progress, and seeing my results- but while my resolutions for 2018 were mostly about getting organized and budgeting/improving my financial planning a bit more (both of which I accomplished!)– 2019 is all about self-care.
Here's what I got:
Get Healthier/Get Into Better Shape – Let's just get this resolution we've all got in our minds and on our lists out of the way first since it's pretty much mandatory at this point. The holidays are, as always- brutal- when it comes to sticking to diets and fitness regimens. After Thanksgiving, I pretty much said "screw it" and started eating whatever I wanted, sleeping all sorts of odd hours, and tried to convince myself that getting up to get the remote control counted as a form of cardio.
In 2019, it's back to the grind- eating better, actually exercising the correct way(s), sleeping like a normal adult, drinking more water- and even taking multivitamins regularly. I've downloaded helpful apps to keep me on track, have nutritional (and delicious) recipes on deck to hold my interests- and have enlisted friends and family who also want to get into better shape as motivational partners during our respective journeys.
I'm really excited to see how different I feel (and look) by the end of next year compared to now!
Stop Putting Up With Bullshit – And Command Respect: I had mentioned earlier that by the end of 2018, I noticed I was being overtly forgiving to fair-weather friends and men I dated who were routinely flaky or downright awful towards me and disrespectful to whatever relationship/bond we had. Whether it was lowered self-esteem, my just trying to be polite and show kindness/understanding, or fear of coming across as heartless for simply "cutting people out"- all that changes in 2019.
I've already started the phase of distancing myself from people who have been detrimental to me, my mental health, and my growth as a person- and so far it's been pretty great and really refreshing not to have negativity clouding my life or to feel as though I'm giving everything I have, stretching myself too thin- and not getting any sort of emotional support or respect in return.
2019 is the year I finally start loving/respecting myself again- and not wasting time on people who can't appreciate me or the good I bring into this world.
Hit Up Some of The Places on My Bucket List: Nashville, New Orleans, Joshua Tree- all places I've longed to visit and explore- but up until now have never really had the opportunity to do so. While I still budget responsibly and make sure all my bills are paid on time- it'd be nice to scratch some of these locations off of my bucket list in 2019.
Even if it's not all of them- one or two would be great! And now, with my recent accumulation of travel points from past vacations/excursions- getting to/from these places is looking like it might be a lot easier than before- and much less expensive, too!
The question is- where do I go first?
Get Back Into the Arts: You all probably know I love taking pictures and photography in general- but did you know I also love to paint? And dance? And design? All passions of mine that unfortunately fell to the wayside as I started to focus more on my legal career over the past few years- but with my recent work with the radio and with the theater in Pioneer Valley- I think 2019 will be the year there is a resurgence of my creativity and more opportunities to do the things I love and am passionate about while simultaneously helping others.
I'm so very, very excited to get started with everything! It's been so long and I have so many ideas swirling around in my head!
And with all that being said- I think that does it for me! I've got to pack a bag and get ready to catch my train to New York. I'll be taking the next few days off before I'm back on Friday morning with a full re-cap of my NYC/NYE adventure- but you can also follow along over at MY INSTAGRAM.
Before I get going, I just wanted to thank you- all of you- who have been reading/subscribing to Blondie Birdie this past year. I try my best to put out content that showcases or highlights my interests/talents and that will entertain or inspire like-minded individuals. It's been an absolute pleasure reading your e-mails, comments, social media posts, etc. and I'm thankful that this little hobby of mine has connected me with people from all over.
I look forward to posting more in 2019 and I hope that you'll all continue reading and corresponding with me along the way as we traverse the coming months ahead!
Here's wishing you all a fun, safe and wonderful New Year! See you all in 2019!
Welcome to Blondie Birdie. I'm Ashley. I'm a (dirty) blonde blogger from the Pioneer Valley with a West Coast state of mind and style. I love traveling, cooking, fashion, makeup, horror movies and video games. These are my adventures and my tales along the way.
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Doin' It For The Gram
I'm playing with Pantone's color of the year ("Classic Blue") and trying out these sunglasses which are supposed to improve your mood. We'll see how it goes. 🕶💙. . #Selfie #Me #Styled #Fashion #FashionBlogger #FashionBlogging #ClassicBlue #ClassicBlue2020 #RainbiwOPTX
Today on the blog I've got a recipe for birthday cake petit fours. Mini cakes for everyone. 🎂. . #Foodie #Recipes #Food #FoodPorn #Baking #Cooking #Desserts #Cake #PetitFours #Blogger #Blogging #IronChefAshley #BeatBobbyFlay
Onesie pajamas, but make them controversial. . #Selfie #Me #GoodNight #HappySunday #Weekend #Pajamas #Winter
Let's get snowed in together, Boston. Spinning tunes and talking the lost art of the music video from 12-4 on @indie617. . #Indie617 #IndieMusic #Indie #BostonRadio #Boston #Massachusetts #NewEngland #Selfie #Me #HappySaturday #Weekend #PelvisCostello
Renewing my license to practice in the Commonwealth. About to take my oath and get sworn in again. It's over for you hoes. . #Boston #Massachusetts #NewEngland #TGIF #Friday #AttorneyAshley #ImBack
When people ask me what I plan to do if I travel to Havana this year. Happy Friday by the way. . #TGIF #Friday #GoodMorning #Travel #lol #FastTimesAtRidgemontHigh #Havanananana


By the end of the course, you will be able to navigate, access, and modify files and folders on your computer—all without a mouse.
By the end of this course, you'll be able to efficiently create and save two-dimensional plots in Python by using simple commands.
The path will contain a combination of lessons, projects, quizzes, articles, and videos to assist in your learning and have you test out your newly acquired skills.


text:
Population genetics of Copper and Bronze Age inhabitants of the Eastern European steppe
I'm hoping like hell that the samples from this thesis eventually get the same treatment as those from Haak et al. 2015.
Summary: This dissertation presents the first genetic study of prehistoric populations in the Pontic-Caspian steppe from the Upper Thracian Plain to the Volga. Hypervariable region I (HVR I) and 30 short sections of the coding region containing 32 clade- determining polymorphisms on the mitochondrial DNA, as well as 20 putatively naturally selected autosomal SNPs and a sex-determining locus were analysed using a combination of multiplex PCR and 454 sequencing. Data analysis was performed on the HVR I of 65 of the 180 Eneolithic and Bronze Age samples. (Partial) genotypes were generated from 61 individuals. Published ancient DNA data from Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia, as well as modern DNA sequences were consulted for comparison.
The genetic data support the inference that early Neolithic farmers from Southeast Europe were involved in establishing pastoralism in the steppes by demic diffusion. The consistently low values of the FST-statistic (the range includes zero) between the Yamnaya Culture of the steppe and a succession of Neolithic cultures in Central Europe indicate continuous or recurrent contacts between the two regions. Between the Yamnaya Culture and its successor, the Catacomb Culture, the incidence of haplogroup U4, which is at high frequency in hunter-gatherer populations of Neolithic Scandinavia and Mesolithic Northwest Russia, rises from approximately 5 % to above 30 %. It is possible that immigrants from Eastern Baltic hunter-gatherer refugia were involved in the genesis of the Catacomb Culture.
The low FST values between the prehistoric steppe populations and the modern populations of Central and Eastern Europe indicate genetic continuity. This is supported by the nuclear genotype frequencies. According to current knowledge the modern European gene pool can be explained by three roots: indigenous Mesolithic hunter-gatherers, early farmers from the Near East, and an ancient North Eurasian component with an Upper Palaeolithic origin. Maybe the third ancestry component was introduced into the late Neolithic European genome by the North Pontic population.
Source: Wilde, Sandra, Populationsgenetik kupfer- und bronzezeitlicher Bevölkerungen der osteuropäischen Steppe, 2014, Dissertation
Posted by Davidski at 8:11:00 AM 102 comments:
Mitogenomes reveal post-Neolithic gene flow from the Near East to Tuscany
Europeans probably received their Ancient North Eurasian (ANE) admixture from at least a couple of different sources. Most of it no doubt came from the Eurasian steppe during the late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age, very likely with the early Indo-Europeans. But I'd say that a significant amount of the ANE in southern Europe arrived there from the Near East during and after the Late Bronze with a wide variety of groups, possibly including the Etruscans. Here's a new paper from PLoS One focusing on Tuscan mitogenomes that adds weight to my argument.
Background: Genetic analyses have recently been carried out on present-day Tuscans (Central Italy) in order to investigate their presumable recent Near East ancestry in connection with the longstanding debate on the origins of the Etruscan civilization. We retrieved mitogenomes and genome-wide SNP data from 110 Tuscans analyzed within the context of The 1000 Genome Project. For phylogeographic and evolutionary analysis we made use of a large worldwide database of entire mitogenomes (>26,000) and partial control region sequences (>180,000).
Results: Different analyses reveal the presence of typical Near East haplotypes in Tuscans representing isolated members of various mtDNA phylogenetic branches. As a whole, the Near East component in Tuscan mitogenomes can be estimated at about 8%; a proportion that is comparable to previous estimates but significantly lower than admixture estimates obtained from autosomal SNP data (21%). Phylogeographic and evolutionary inter-population comparisons indicate that the main signal of Near Eastern Tuscan mitogenomes comes from Iran.
Conclusions: Mitogenomes of recent Near East origin in present-day Tuscans do not show local or regional variation. This points to a demographic scenario that is compatible with a recent arrival of Near Easterners to this region in Italy with no founder events or bottlenecks.
Gómez-Carballa A, Pardo-Seco J, Amigo J, Martinón-Torres F, Salas A (2015) Mitogenomes from The 1000 Genome Project Reveal New Near Eastern Features in Present-Day Tuscans. PLoS ONE 10(3): e0119242. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0119242
Modeling the ancestry of Yamnaya with qpAdm
I've been playing around with the new qpAdm program and the Haak et al. dataset over the past few days and managed to come up with what I think are some very promising results. For instance, the Yamnaya genomes from the Samara Valley and surrounds fit rather well as 0.514 Samara hunter-gatherer + 0.486 Georgian (std. errors 0.032, chisq 3.890).
This is an interesting outcome, mainly because Georgian is a Kartvelian language, and linguistics data suggest that the early Indo-Europeans - presumably the Yamnaya nomads or their ancestors - were in close contact with Proto-Kartvelian speakers. Moreover, even though the Yamnaya males tested to date all belong to Y-chromosome haplogroup R1b, which they probably inherited from their hunter-gatherer ancestors, because the Samara forager also belonged to this haplogroup, some of their mtDNA lineages appear to be derived from the Caucasus and/or nearby areas of the Near East.
However, the main problem with this analysis is that it's attempting to model an ancient population as a mixture of a modern one. Indeed, my estimate is that present-day Georgians harbor around 20% of the so called Ancient North Eurasian (ANE) component, which probably arrived in the Caucasus from the Eurasian steppe (see here). If so, then the qpAdm run might be overestimating the non-steppe admixture in the Yamnaya genomes by at least 10%. Nevertheless, I'm quite happy with this result as I await ancient DNA from the Caucasus and Near East.
By the way, I also pretty much nailed the Corded Ware sample: 0.73 Yamnaya + 0.27 Esperstedt_MN (std. errors 0.060, chisq 2.621). Admittedly, an identical result for the same genomes was reported months ago at the ASHG 2014 conference (see here), but that's OK, because it means I'm on the right track.
qpAdm is easy to run, but the quality of its output heavily reliant on the outgroup or "right set" of populations picked by the user. As far as I can see, the following ten populations (a subset of the "magic set" of 15 from Haak et al.) produce the most robust outcomes when analyses are limited to West Eurasian groups.
Biaka
Ju_hoan_North
Karitiana
Mbuti
Ulchi
Why do they work so well? I really have no idea, but through simple trial and error I found that some of the others from the "magic set", in particular the Ami, produced much poorer results.
I'll probably end up posting a whole catalog of qpAdm output in the comments section below over the next couple of weeks. I'm open to suggestions about the models to test and how to improve my runs.
Haak et al., Massive migration from the steppe was a source for Indo-European languages in Europe, Nature, Advance online publication, doi:10.1038/nature14317
qpAdm tour of Iran
Yamnaya's exotic ancestry: The Kartvelian connection
Eight thousand years of natural selection in Europe
Update 11/10/2015: Eight thousand years of natural selection in Europe - take 2
A new preprint at bioRxiv reports on the first genome-wide scan for selection using ancient DNA, with a couple of unexpected outcomes:
The SNP (rs4988235) responsible for lactase persistence in Europe gives the strongest signal in our analysis. We estimated the selection coefficient on the derived allele to be 0.015 (95% confidence interval; CI=0.010-0.034) using a method that fits a hidden Markov model to the population allele frequencies as they change over time. Our data strengthens previous reports of the late appearance of lactase persistence in Europe, with the earliest appearance of the allele in a central European Bell Beaker sample (individual I0112) who lived approximately 4,300 years ago. We detect no evidence of lactase persistence in Early Neolithic farming populations like the Linearbandkeramik (LBK), or in the steppe pastoralist Yamnaya, despite their use of domesticated cattle (Figure 2).
We find a surprise in seven Scandinavian hunter-gatherers from the Motala site in southern Sweden who lived around 7,700 years before present. While the western hunter-gatherers of central and southern Europe largely have the ancestral allele at the two major European skin pigmentation loci, the closely related Scandinavian hunter-gatherers have both the derived alleles contributing to light skin pigmentation at high frequency (Figure 2B). Thus, the derived allele of SLC24A5 was common in both the Scandinavian hunter-gatherers and Early European farmers, but not in the geographically intermediate western hunter-gatherers. Further, in four out of seven Motala samples, we observe the derived allele of rs3827760 in the EDAR gene, which has effects on tooth morphology and hair thickness. This allele has been the subject of a selective sweep in East Asia, and today it is at high frequency in East Asians and Native Americans.
The derived allele in the Motala samples lies on the same haplotype as in modern East Asians (Extended Data Figure 4) implying a shared origin. The statistic f4(Yoruba, Scandinavian hunter-gatherers, Han, Onge Andaman Islanders) is significantly negative (Z=-3.9) implying gene flow between the ancestors of Scandinavian hunter-gatherers and Han so this shared haplotype is likely the result of ancient gene flow between groups ancestral to these two populations.
The high frequency of the East Asian-specific EDAR allele among the Motala foragers is even more surprising for me than their inferred light skin. But it does at least gel with the earlier finding that Scandinavian hunter-gatherers did not contribute significant ancestry to modern Europeans (see here).
Mathieson et al., Eight thousand years of natural selection in Europe, bioRxiv preprint first posted online March 14, 2015; doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1101/016477
Posted by Davidski at 6:59:00 AM 27 comments:
Here's a quick and dirty attempt to flush out a Yamnaya-specific ancestral component with the ADMIXTURE software and a few Yamnaya genomes from the recent Haak et al. paper: K6 spreadsheet.
Obviously, we'll need many more ancient samples from the vast Yamnaya horizon to be able to estimate direct Yamnaya ancestry in modern populations with any great confidence. But I'd say this looks like a very reasonable attempt, with more or less comparable results to those published by Haak et al. (for instance, see Figure 3 from the study here).
Please note that this wasn't a supervised run. In other words, I didn't mark the Yamnaya genomes as reference samples with the aim of creating a cluster from them.
However, I initially excluded all individuals from northeastern Europe, the north Caucasus and South Asia from the analysis. The reason I did this was because samples from these regions have a peculiar habit of creating very robust clusters in ADMIXTURE, which is useful when looking at recent variation and wanting low cross validation errors, but not so great when trying to resurrect genetic components from the depths of prehistory.
Once I had a dataset that was forcing the algorithm to focus its attention on the ancient genomes and producing consistent results, I tested the problem samples in batches of 5-10, thus making sure they didn't skew the analysis.
Interestingly, the Yamnaya-specific component peaks in Udmurts, who live close to where the Yamnaya samples were collected. This can hardly be a coincidence.
In any case, I'm hoping to look at this issue in more detail soon with the help of qpAdm, a new program released recently with the updated ADMIXTOOLS package (see here). Based on f4 statistics, qpAdm is specifically designed for analyzing ancient admixture events.
New release of ADMIXTOOLS with two additional programs
ADMIXTOOLS 3.0 is now available at github via the Reich Lab site. The updated package includes minor bugfixes and improvements and two new programs: qpWave and qpAdm for studying migration and admixture. Scroll down the page at the link below.
Reich Lab software
Documentation is minimal, but I'm told that users of the old ADMIXTOOLS should be able to get things running. I haven't had a chance to check it out yet, but I'm looking forward to trying qpWave and qpAdm, hopefully this weekend.
Update 16/03/2015: Modeling Yamnaya with qpAdm
Posted by Davidski at 5:41:00 PM 5 comments:
Population genetics of Copper and Bronze Age inhab...
Mitogenomes reveal post-Neolithic gene flow from t...
Eight thousand years of natural selection in Europ...
Yamnaya-related ancestry proportions in Europe and...
New release of ADMIXTOOLS with two additional prog...

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Concrete - Flexural testing frames : Flexural frame for std beams, 100 kN cap.
Universal testers - Steel (re-bars) - UNIFRAME electromechanical universal testers: Universal load frames accessories for soil, asphalt, concrete, cement, mortar and rock testings.
Concrete - Flexural testing frames : Universal, open structure flexural frame, 300 kN cap.


text:
25 years ago today - Apr 1, 1995
Solemn assembly sustains newly ordained Gordon B. Hinckley as LDS president, first time in Mormon history that solemn assemblies have sustained two new presidents within six-month period. For first time, females are asked to vote according to their auxiliary membership, Young Women (ages 12 to 18) and Relief Society (age 18+), in imitation of traditional voting-pattern for males according to their priesthood quorums. Announcement of end of Regional Representative calling, effective Aug 15, to be replaced by Area Authorities. These officers will be high priests serving without financial compensation for six years, while they "continue their current employment, [and] reside in their own homes." Number of Area authorities is intended to be substantially smaller than 284 Regional Representatives serving at this date.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
85 years ago today - Apr 30, 1935
120 years ago today - Apr 30, 1900
55 years ago today - Apr 29,1965
35 years ago today - Apr 28 1985
135 years ago today - April 28th, 1885
185 years ago today - April 28-30, 1835
105 years ago today - 105 years ago - Apr 27, 1915
135 years ago today - Apr 27, 1885 (Tuesday)
120 years ago today - Apr 26, 1900 (Thursday)
135 years ago today - Apr 24, 1885 (Friday)
40 years ago today - April 22 1980
140 years ago today - Tuesday, Apr 20, 1880
105 years ago today - Apr 19, 1915; Monday
180 years ago today - Apr 19, 1840. Sunday.
190 years ago today - Circa Apr 19, 1830
40 years ago today - 40 years ago - April 18 1980
90 years ago today - 90 years ago - Apr 18, 1930
190 years ago today - Apr 18, 1830 (Sunday)
175 years ago today - 16 April 1845
15 years ago today - APRIL 16, 2005


This pack of 250 x 5mm tile spacers is essential to help you space your wall tiles evenly.
Supplied in a resealable bag for easy and convenient storage, these 5mm tile spacers will ensure an even grout line throughout your tiling.
If you are looking for a professional finish to your bathroom walls, make sure you add these tile spacers to your basket. Smaller spacers are available.


Recent Arrival! **BLUETOOTH**, **KEYLESS ENTRY**, **REMOTE START**, **REAR BACKUP CAMERA**, Allison 1000 6-Speed Automatic, 4WD, Grey, Heavy-Duty Handling/Trailering Suspension Package. 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD LT 4WD White Clean CARFAX.
High-tech touches such as a rearview camera and rear parking assist are optional, too, and would probably come in handy on a big truck like the Silverado. MP3-compatible stereo with XM satellite radio can be found on some models and a Bose system with USB interface is available.
The heavy-duty Chevy Silverado pickup carries into 2013 with no significant changes, though Deep Ruby Metallic and Blue Topaz Metallic are new exterior colors, and the 6-speed transmission found on the 6.0L V8 gas models will now feature the same grade-braking capabilities in normal driving mode as it previously did in tow/haul mode.
The Silverado range is always one of GM's biggest sellers. This means GM is always endeavoring to innovate and continue to improve the truck's design. As a result, the consumer wins--whether hauling equipment to a job site, working a farm or towing a boat, the Silverado 2500 and 3500 are built for tough work, and are some of the best-designed trucks available from any manufacturer. Made in either short- or long-bed form, with 2- or 4-wheel drive, optional dual rear wheels and with a choice of several impressively powerful engines, the Silverado can be set up do just about anything asked of it. The 2500, even simply configured, is capable of towing over 10,000 pounds and base prices start around $25,000.


text:
Irvine elementary students start a new school…
Irvine elementary students start a new school year, with a new school
Ella, Marissa, Audrey and Bryan Kim walk to school during the first day of classes at Loma Ridge Elementary in Irvine, CA on Thursday, August 22, 2019. The newly built school welcomed K-4th grades and will add a grade each of the next two years. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
By Paul Bersebach | pbersebach@scng.com | Orange County Register
PUBLISHED: August 22, 2019 at 3:41 p.m. | UPDATED: August 27, 2019 at 12:44 p.m.
Julie and Justin Branch take a photo of their kids Joie, 7, left, and Paisley, 5, during the first day of classes at Loma Ridge Elementary in Irvine, CA on Thursday, August 22, 2019. The newly built school welcomed K-4th grades and will add a grade each of the next two years. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Twins Alexander and Felicia have their photo taken in front of the school mascot but their mom Kay Watanakunakorn during the first day of classes at Loma Ridge Elementary in Irvine, CA on Thursday, August 22, 2019. The newly built school welcomed K-4th grades and will add a grade each of the next two years. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Hana Weaver gets a hug from her mom Mika on the first day of classes at Loma Ridge Elementary in Irvine, CA on Thursday, August 22, 2019. The newly built school welcomed K-4th grades and will add a grade each of the next two years. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Students walk to the first day of classes at Loma Ridge Elementary in Irvine, CA on Thursday, August 22, 2019. The newly built school welcomed K-4th grades and will add a grade each of the next two years. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Teacher Lindsay Sandifer reads a story to her kindergarten class during opening day at Loma Ridge Elementary in Irvine, CA on Thursday, August 22, 2019. The newly built school welcomed K-4th grades and will add a grade each of the next two years. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Kobe Ong gets some comfort from his mom Fifi during his first day of first grade at Loma Ridge Elementary in Irvine, CA on Thursday, August 22, 2019. The newly built school welcomed K-4th grades and will add a grade each of the next two years. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Paisley Branch, 5, introduces herself to her kindergarten classmates during the first day of classes at Loma Ridge Elementary in Irvine, CA on Thursday, August 22, 2019. The newly built school welcomed K-4th grades and will add a grade each of the next two years. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Kindergarten students wait to be called on during the first day of classes at Loma Ridge Elementary in Irvine, CA on Thursday, August 22, 2019. The newly built school welcomed K-4th grades and will add a grade each of the next two years. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Students, parents and teachers get acquainted during the first day of classes at Loma Ridge Elementary in Irvine, CA on Thursday, August 22, 2019. The newly built school welcomed K-4th grades and will add a grade each of the next two years. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Students entering Loma Ridge Elementary in Irvine on Thursday, Aug. 22, got to meet their new teachers — and a whole new school.
Loma Ridge, the second elementary school to serve the Portola Springs neighborhood, opened to 255 students. The 59,000-square-foot campus features a media center, collaboration spaces, dedicated music classrooms and outdoor learning areas.
The school is open to students in kindergarten through fourth grades, with plans to add a grade each of the next two years.
It is the 24th elementary school in the Irvine Unified School District.
Paul Bersebach | Photojournalist
Paul Bersebach has been a news photographer for over 25 years after graduating from Ohio University's School of Visual Communication. He started working his way up at newspapers in the Midwest before coming to The Orange County Register in 1999. Paul has been a photographer and photo editor at the Register for over 20 years.
pbersebach@scng.com
Follow Paul Bersebach @Paul_Bersebach
County cold-weather shelter opens today in a Fullerton park
Dana Point man charged with hate crime, suspected of defacing Latina mural in Costa Mesa with graffiti
Mission Viejo mural has tunnel vision
Can a murder conviction move forward without finding the body? Ask the lawyer


Mary B. Kunz, 95, of Davis Road, Slippery Rock Twp., passed away at 6:30 a.m., July 3, 2012, in the Ellwood City Hospital.
Mary was born on October 1, 1916 in Schwenksville, PA, to the late George and Emma (Coover) Billett. She then married Charles W. Kunz, who precedes her in death.
Mary was a graduate of Ursinus College and taught elementary school in the Laurel School District until her retirement. She was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church of Ellwood City.
Survivors include two her sons, Karl J. Kunz of Brooklyn, NY, and Gary R. Kunz of West Palm Beach, FL; five grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents and husband, Mary was preceded in death by one son, Dennis C. Kunz; two brothers, Richard and Michael Billett, and one sister, Esther Billett.
Visitation will be Saturday, July 7, 2012, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the TURNER-MYERS FUNERAL HOME, 208 North Jefferson St., New Castle, PA.
Funeral services will follow at 4 p.m. in the funeral home and will be conducted by Pastor Peggy Suhr-Barkley of the Trinity Lutheran Church.
Interment will be in Slippery Rock Presbyterian Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Crisis Shelter of Lawrence County, 1218 W. State St., New Castle, PA, 16101.


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Former NASA engineer invented a farting glitter bomb to get back at package thieves. The promotional video was a hit sensation and got loads of attention. However, days after it's recognition, Mark Rober issued an apology for staged reactions in the video.
Liam Palmer
The Colorful Way Karma Works
Former NASA engineer Mark Rober recently invented a farting glitter-bomb to get back at the people who keep stealing packages from his front door. However, just days after he was recognized for this creative invention, he issued an apology for adding staged reactions to his promotional Youtube video.
The video got loads of attention on Youtube and impressed thousands. In the video, you see the security footage of thieves stealing his glitter bomb that was disguised as a package from his porch.
Faked Reactions Get 40 Million Views
The cool thing about Mark Rober's invention is the camera he installed inside it to record the reactions of package thieves. These reactions were recorded and added to the video. While it was awesome to see these guys get their revenge; the reactions were not that believable.
Many people took to the comments section on Youtube to let others know that the video was partially staged.
Getting Help from a "Friend of a Friend"
The fact of the matter is that the comments were right, and the video was staged. Rober issued an apology to all the viewers who thought it was real and to all the retail companies who picked up this seemingly promising product.
Rober explained that he had no idea the whole thing was staged. What he claims happened was that he hired a "friend of a friend" who was willing to place the package on his porch to make it look like a real delivery.
The former NASA engineer also agreed to pay the "friend" to go an retrieve the pieces of the glitter bomb after the "thieves" left the scene of the glittery explosion. However, what Rober did not know was that the person he hired to drop off the package did some staging of his own. He hired friends to pretend to be the robbers and to act surprised as the glitter bomb exploded in their car.
Mark Rober Had No Idea What Went Down
Rober was clueless about the whole sham. He uploaded the video thinking he got the best footage to portray his masterpiece. He apologized for his "misleading" video clip, hoping that his fans would still trust the genuineness of all the videos he posted in the last seven years.
However, this is one of those moments when someone does the right thing and it ends up biting them in the behind. After he did the honest thing and confessed; his credibility was ruined.
The Video Was Fake but the Product Totally Works!
People started posting comments about how all of his work is a total sham. "This is my first ever video with some kind of 'prank' and as I mentioned in the video it's pretty removed from my comfort zone," he explained in his apology.
Rober also wanted to note that, although the reactions were fake, his products were real. Rober helped design and develop robots that roam around on the moon, so he is more than capable of designing a farting glitter bomb that actually works.
Hopefully, people walk away from this apology thinking that Rober did the honest thing and that he's still awesome for creating a farting glitter bomb that gets revenge on the bad guys.
Related Topics:#PrankFeaturedGlitterNASAWoah