Crazy and Not So Crazy Random Thoughts - Twinkie's Blog - Mas

Dumping grounds

I think this is part two of my anniversary series, but I can't remember right now. Of course I guess I could stop and look but what the heck. Here we go:

Ok at this point we're in Santa Barbara, I think? Or Solvang.. can't remember.. but there's this "street performer" (translation=bum looking for handouts but is willing to show you a cool trick for your money) and his trick was, he has a rat that is sitting on a cat, who is sitting on a dog. You know, the whole "peace on earth" type theme or whatever.

So we decide to take a picture of it... of course this meany dude cuts in front of me and effs my shot up. So then the next screen shot I get is THIS.

In case you can't see it.. it's a rat, sitting on top of a cat, sitting on top of a dog... who happens to be taking a dump at the time.

The street performer dude, says, "OH GREAT!! Take a picture of THAT, why don't you?"

hahahah OMG everybody started laughing.. I was so busy trying to get a picture that I wasn't paying attention to what they were doing.

SO here you have it. Even when you're trying to spread peace on earth, you still have to take time to take a dump. Right?

I'd Rather Be Burned as a Witch, Than Never to be Burned At All.

Here ye! Here ye! The witches are back and they promise this year to be bigger and better.

Last year we had a really good turn out to our Twinkielicious Bakotopian/MAS Field Trip to see the witches.

pictured above in order from left to right: El Patria, his guest, Woofs, Happyfeet, Susydearest (from masbakersfield.com), Twinkie, KayK, her guest Pumpkin (his nickname on her blogs), tashkajones, her guest

This year, I hope for more of the same! Join me Saturday, October 18th!

We will start off at 3:00 at the Chalet Basque for a cocktail or two. This is a good chance to finally meet the people whom you "talk to" on a weekly basis here at masbakersfield.com

Don't worry! We don't bite. Well, at least not too hard!

The best part of all is that I put together these really cool goody bags for all who RSVP. YES, the goody bag happens to be a witches hat. BUT it's what's IN the hats that's goody goody COOL. hahaha OK, but really.. just the fact that you get to hang out with your fellow bakotopians/MAS members while supporting your local artists should be reason enough to show up. I mean, we're always complaining that there's NOTHING TO DO in Bakersfield, right?

*Another succesful Twinkielicious Bakotopian/MAS Field Trip was when we went to see Hair at the Empty Space as pictured below:

OK, so anyways.. from there, we will caravan up the street to the Empty Space Theater where the witches will have some appetizers and wine for their guests to drink and eat while they enjoy all the awesome art work displayed on the walls.

So far, the RSVP list is as follows:

1. Gwen and guest

2. Woofs (and guest?)

3. Gbriano (and guest?)

4. devilwoman and guest

5. susiedearest (from the MAS site)

Who else is witchy enough to join us? Come on now! Don't be shy. Be proud! If the broom fits, wear it!

Click HERE for a male review of the first years Burn the Witch.

or click here for a female's perspective!

CLICK HERE for a Twinkielicious Review of the SECOND YEAR's Burn the Witch.

CLICK HERE for my Hair Review and fun recap and pictures. Please excuse the ones that say, . MY BAD!

Tobin James and the Ninja

As you all know, Mr. and Mrs. Twinkie's 10 year wedding anniversary was September 19th. We went up to Avila for the weekend but we spent little time there. Instead, we spent our first day in Paso Robles, wine tasting.. then the next day in Santa Barbara and Solvang. I'll share details and a recap for those interested.. in a three part series.

OK so my little adventure begins Friday morning with some breakfast at the Roadhouse Grill or something like that.. it's basically your typical truck stop with the cute gift shop as you walk in.

We decided against breakfast thought because we didn't want to mess up our palettes for the wine tasting later. So we each had a sandwich on toast. Except for WOW they put so much mayonnaise on it! It made us both gag. Thank GOD we'd said LIGHT on the mayo because I can't even imagine...

So off we go wine tasting... we strolled into town (Paso Robles) about 11:00-ish.. and stopped at our favorite winery, Tobin James.

If you are ever driving through Paso Robles.. you HAVE to stop at Tobin's. That place is soooo cool, and relaxed, and friendly, and FUN. My favorite wine from them is their Riesling. But their "Fat Boy" Zinfandel and their Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is pretty darn good too.

Tobin James Fatboy wine review: Perfect example of an *excellent* fruit bomb. Tons of luscious fruit, but still balanced. Crushed raspberries on the nose, great fruit on the palate.

Tobin James Riesling wine review: Fermented grape perfume nose. Palate: Candied apples, pears, peaches, subtle complexity of grapefruit, lemon, lime. Clean, dry, balanced, zesty lively swallow.

Tobin James Silver Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon wine review: Nose of dark, overripe fruits. Very dark garnet/purple in color. Flavors of plum, fig, and dust. Nicely structured, very good!

Our wine taster dude... what would his title be? anyways... he was really cool and outgoing which honestly is a prerequisite for ANYBODY that works there. They always make you feel right at home.

We talked to him for a bit and found out he is originally from Paso, but he moved out of state for about 5 years where he worked in different areas of the restaurant business. But his last job was in golf course construction in Arizona.

I always find it interesting how people end up working at wineries. Or not just at wineries.. just wherever you are in life. How did you get there? What roads did you travel? What did you leave behind?

It's never EVER a dull story. EVER.

OK, so our new friend's story goes a little something like this:

For some reason construction came to a halt for a few months so he decided to come home and visit while they called him back. His dad worked at Tobin James so he told him if he wanted a job, it was crushing season and they could probably use his help for the next few months. By the time crushing season was over, he'd fallen in love with the wine/vineyard business so he decided to stay.

So there he is, doing something he loves. Drinking, and selling wine for a living. It can't get much better than that, right? Mr. Twinkie said to quit being so nosy but I said, "NO!" And kept asking questions.

Then I told him it was our 10 year anniversary and he seemed excited for us. I asked if we took a picture with him and he was glad to do it. In fact, he knew the perfect spot, with the perfect background.

Even Tobin James' history/background is interesting. It turns out he has a Cincinnati connection which you can read about HERE! To give you a little background, however, I will tell you this. He was a wine maker's assistant who followed his dreams and now he's living it.

*taken from THIS website: My Wine Education

He moved out to Paso Robles about 25 years ago to work with Gary Eberle when Gary was the winemaker at Estrella River Winery - before it became Meridian. Gary left to start Eberle Winery and Toby went with him.

Toby worked at Eberle for over 10 years, then went to Peachy Canyon with Doug Beckett. He made the first 2 or 3 vintages there before heading out on his own. The rest is history.

Our next stop was:

I've been wanting to go there ever since it opened because Andrew Firestone was on one of my favorite ABC T.V. Reality Shows, The Bachelor. I'll blog about that and more later... basically though..

After the wine tasting we ended up going to check in, then went to a bar called O'Reiley's where I was saved from impending doom by a Ninja and we met a few more interesting people.

Forget Me Not

We're getting ready to head out to yet another Pee-Wee tackle football game when I hear Mr. Twinkie say, "I can't wait till next weekend!"

I respond, "WHY? What's next weekend?" I shudder at the thought of MORE football.

The weekend before we went our kids game at 2:00, our friend's kid's game at 5:00, and my brother in law's team he coaches at 7:00.

The Princess Twinkie also happens to coach their cheerleaders, which is another reason why we HAD to go.

Mr. Twinkie asks, "BABE??? SERIOUSLY?"

"Seriously WHAT?" I answer with a question.

"THINK about it really hard." he says.

"BABEEEEEE. Just tell me. WHAT IS NEXT WEEKEND??????"

"Forget it then." he responds and I can tell he's hurt that I can't remember.

"OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH!!!!!! Our ANNIVERSARY GETAWAY???? I'm sorry honey!" I say as I run up to hug him and kiss him and squeeze him and show him how much I love him.

He starts laughing because it's soooo typical of me to forget anything and everything including special events and so he teases me like he's mad, but he's really not. He's used to it.

So yes, 10 years ago I lured the unsuspecting Mr. Twinkie with my twinkieness.... (of course in MY case, the IT guy is the "it" guy.... because I knew he was it for me.

He proposed two weeks after we officially got together... and a few months later had a twinkilicous wedding with only close family and friends... (about 200-300 of them)

Months after that.... we started our Twinkilicious family...

And we've lived blissfully ever after.

*In between all the non-blissful, typical marriage stuff made up of Ding Dong fights and Yoo-Hoo arguments, of course.

So anyways... now that you know our story... can I just add.....

Happy Anniversary Mr. Twinkie! I love you babe!

The Good 'Ol Boys Club Strikes Again?

There has been speculation from the McCain camp that the "good 'ol boys" club is taking aim at the first female Republican Vice President nominee, Sarah Palin.

"This nonsense is over," declared senior campaign adviser Steve Schmidt in a written statement.

The statement stood out for its admission that Palin is under siege — it condemns "this vetting controversy" — and for its attempt to blunt questions about how rigorously McCain and his campaign explored the background of a candidate who may get the nation's second most powerful job. It also suggested that Palin is a victim of gender bias in the media.

"The McCain campaign will have no further comment about our long and thorough process," Schmidt said, lashing out at "the old boys' network" that he says runs media organizations.

read the rest of that article by clicking here

Is this true? It's hard to say considering the media does a damn good job at shaping the general public's minds and opinions. They know exactly what to say, what NOT to say, and how to present it so that we the people believe it to be true. Not just in politics, but in everything from fashion, to health issues, etc.

For example, why isn't the media making a big ol' stink about Viagra possibly making men blind around the country, but it did a GREAT job at covering Botox issues a while back. And there are tons of "plastic surgeries gone wrong" shows on t.v.

The latest fashion? Guess who decides what is cool and what isn't? Designers? No! The media. Designers put it out there and the media decides who's hot, and who's not.

So is there "dish" out there on Barack Obama and his V.P. nominee that the media is choosing to toss aside while they focus on Palin? OR does Palin have more juicy details/drama in her life and past that make covering her more interesting?

These are very interesting questions for this lil Twinkie who is still learning about the political world and media bias...

McCain's VP choice

NAME — Sarah Heath Palin.

EXPERIENCE: Alaska governor since December 2006; unsuccessful run for Republican nomination for lieutenant governor in 2002; chairwoman of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, 2003-2004; served two terms as Wasilla mayor and two terms on city council.

EDUCATION: Graduated University of Idaho, 1987, journalism.

FAMILY: Husband, Todd; five children.

BUSINESS: Worked as sports reporter for two Anchorage television stations; owned with her husband a snowmobile, watercraft, ATV business from 1994-97. Husband is a North Slope oil field worker.

AGE-BIRTH DATE-LOCATION — 44; born Feb. 11, 1964; Sandpoint, Idaho.

CLICK HERE TO VOTE: Do you think she's a good choice?

So there you go! A little info for you just in case you logged on the internet this morning and the first words out of your mouth were "WHAAAAAAAAAT THE? Who the heckells is THAT????"

Sunday Breakfast With The Girls

My friend Burgh sent me an email last night with her Florida "vay-kay" pictures. One of them was her and her hubby at the beach. She's in a bikini.

Aside from her day job, she also teaches some fitness classes at her local gym. She works out. A LOT! And watches what she eats.

I emailed her, "woot! All that excercising pays off hu? That's why you look like that.. and I look like a pregnant mama of four. Nice pictures."

She emails me back, "You crack me up...but yeah...exercise and diet...."

SHOOT ME IN THE HEAD is about right for me. EXERCISE????? And diet... I don't know about all that... heheheheh

------- later that day.....

I texted Dee and Goocher about getting together for a girls breakfast on Sunday.

They both said ok.

This morning Dee texts me, "what time?" I say, "Can you be here around 10:00am? Is that too early?"

She texts back, "Heck yah! I get up at 6:30am to run, so 10:00am is NOT early."

I said, "Dang! you're a dedicated runner!"

she said, "I KNOW! I already lost 9 lbs."

I text her back, "BRAT"

But seriously.. dangit. I need to get my big booty in gear. So here is my new commitment, and you MAS buddies, friends and family will hold me accountable, ok?

I will walk two miles every morning or evening. Even on weekends. No dieting because I don't really eat bad.

As I'm typing she text me back, "I know! I am one fit chick!" hee hee

That's putting it mildly!

Mother of the Year

Monday was the first day of school. Of couse the Baby Twinkies were excited but nervous at the same time. It took forever to get them to bed. And even longer to get them to stop talking and go to sleep.

My sleep wasn't any better. I've been hurting a lot. My back, shoulders etc. But that's for another blog.

Anyways, Big Mickey asked if I could please walk him to class the first day. I guess he didn't realize this is tradition for me (I always walk them to class their first day) and he's going to have to deal with it all the way through high school.

No, really! I did it for my teens until the 8th grade. Don't worry! It didn't traumatize them or anything. In fact, they enjoyed it. Of course I would never do it in High School. They are too old for that.

Anyways, Annequin was more nervous than usual which is surprising because he's typically a very "together" kinda dude. Seriously, he oozes confidence and it's just natural for him. Nothing he learned, just something he IS.

In fact, he's usually the one telling his lil bro, Big Mickey that's it's going to be ok!

But see, Annequin... (who prayed to God the night before to please make his wish come true) was hoping and hoping and hoping he'd get the same teacher as his best friend "K". That's all he could talk about the night before and all morning.

He didn't.

Which made him soooo upset (plus he was already nervous anyways) that he started to complain that his tummy hurt. YES.. as soon as we saw on the big board outside the office who his teacher was... ALL OF A SUDDEN... he holds his tummy and said it hurt. And he wanted to go home.

I thought he was just upset and faking it so I told him to knock it off. Then he started crying.

So I sent him to the office! Well!!!!!! I Big Mickey was excited about meeting his teacher and new friends and I didn't want Annequin to ruin Big Mickey's excitement with his Debbie Downer attitude just because he didn't get to share a class with his BFF.

"Go to the office and sit there and wait for me till I take Big Mickey to class. Then I'll take you home. But I'm gonna tell you right now, Annequin! If you're faking it you're gonna be in soooo much trouble! AND don't think you're gonna sit at home and watch t.v. all day either! If you're too sick to be in school then you're too sick to watch t.v.! You got it?"

Annequin: holding his tummy in pretend pain and crying crocodile tears "YESSSSSS" (insert fake pouty smiley face here!)

So I take Big Mickey to his class. His teacher does this thing where she makes the kids stand in line and one by one they have to go up to her, shake her hand, introduce herself to them before they are allowed in class.

I then picked Annequin up and told him I was taking him home because he wasn't feeling good.

BUT I REMIND HIM very sternly... if he's not feeling good enough to go to school then he's also NOT feeling good enough to watch tv so he's to stay in bed all day. I figure this is his last chance to redeem himself and decide all on his own that this faking the tummy ache thing is not worth it, and stay in school.

Well, I get home for lunch and guess who's sleeping on the bathroom floor wrapped in a blanket? Yup, Annequin.

I woke him and asked if he was ready for lunch and he said yeah. I asked why he was asleep on the floor and he said because he didn't want to throw up on the couch (AGAIN)

I said, what do you mean AGAIN????

He says, "I was laying on the couch (insert real crying here) and I threw up. I cleaned up as best as I could but then I didn't want to throw up on the couch again but I still wasnt' feeling good and I wanted to sleep so I figured I'd sleep on the bathroom floor in case I threw up it would be easier to clean."

Yup! Mother of the year award.. right here. ME. This Twinkie HERE. My poor baby was not only NOT faking it. But he threw up, thought I'd be upset.. and cleaned it up before I got home.

Talk about GUILT. Aurgh.

Viagra Users BEWARE!

My friend sent me an email this morning and I asked her permission to post it word for word on my bakotopia.com/MAS blog.. and anywhere I could think it could help somebody. Please share this with anyone and everyone that will listen. And feel free to share your thoughts about the subject here!

*sidenote..this is NOT an "email forward". This email was actually sent to me by my friend.

I don't know if I told you that my sister's husband, my BIL, felt like there was something on one of his eyes a few weeks back. He couldn't really explain it but felt like a speck of sand or something was on his eye. He let it go for 3 days and finally told my sister that he needed to go to the eye doctor becaue it was really starting to bother him. The eye doctor ran whatever tests and it turned out his retina had detached in 4 places! They rushed him in for immediate eye surgery and said he would have been completely blind in that eye within hours.

He had the surgery and everything seemed ok and they assured him his eye would be getting better and stronger. But he is noticing that not only is his eye getting weaker, but he is starting to feel like his other eye is weakening. The doctors do not know what it could be.

FAST FORWARD:

My sister was doing one of her client's hair TONIGHT who is married to an opthomalogist and asked her questions about why his eye could possibly be doing this since it's not heriditary. Her client started asking her numerous questions. One of them was, "By chance, does your husband take Viagra?"

My sister was stunned because he does. He just started 6 months or so ago.

She told my sister that it came out in the Medical journals in 2005 that there may be a link between Viagra and blindness.

She immediately called me to tell me and ask me had I heard of anything like that in news reports before. I googled to see if it could be substantiated and there were PLENTY of medical articles and credible news associations (CNN, Washington Post, etc) who mentioned the possible link in 05' because the blood supply to the eyes are blocked or redirected. Pfizer is (probably) keeping this as hush as possible because they have made millions upon millions of dollars and for all we know they have the FDA in their pockets, as the FDA continues to insist there is no substantial link and putting it on other factors (that didn't apply to him).

If you know of ANYONE taking Viagra, Cialis, Levitra please read the articles below and/or pass it on. Because I know someone personally (possibly) affected by this, I wanted to make sure everyone read this. Some people suffered blindness as soon as 48 hours after takng their first dose. He's been taking it for about 6 months. He is now suffering permanent vision loss in the "corrected' eye and is feeling the affects on the other. I'm watching this vital man (who has always been so charismatic and generous) starting to die inside as his vision goes. He also makes the bulk of their household income and provides their medical so they are really worried about what may happen.

The news and medical reports also stated the octal damage is irreversible.

I came across these articles just tonight when I sought to substantiate it. See your own doctor for more information.

CNN.com

http://www.cnn.com/2005/HEA...

Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.c...

Medical News Today:

http://www.medicalnewstoday...

L.A. Times:

http://articles.latimes.com...

Lawyer seek:

http://www.lawyerseek.com/P...

Something Stinks In China

By now I'm sure it's way old news but I still wanted to address the lip synching fiasco at the Chinese Olympics. Or what will be known around the world as the "Chinese Milli Vanilli fiasco of 2008."

Girl, you KNOW it's true.

But what about the fake fireworks? Did you hear about that?

OH, of course you did. It made headlines.

What about China's weather? Isn't it sooooo perfect and beautiful?

Ummm that would actually be a NOOOOOOOO! You see, China had almost all their manufacturing plants shut down so as they wouldn't pollute the city while the tourists were in town.

And there is... well...there is....

Well, a whole bunch of other fake shit that quite frankly... I mean really? ?? WHO CARES??????

Does this make China a bad country? NO... their everything else makes them a bad country.

Did you know that the USA took similar steps to ensure the perfect Olympics in Atlanta & LA we moved homeless so they wouldn't be near the events? Yup, it's true, folks. AND they did the same thing in Tempe when the super bowl was there years ago, they literally put all the homeless on busses and shipped them down to Tucson.

Can I just ask you something? Whatever happened to the sanctity of political secrets? geez.louize.

I long for the days where politicians were cripples and nobody knew about it and Presidents had prostitutes come to the White House and everybody kept the secret.

I mean seriously if a political leader wants to have the perfect Olympics with only pretty people that is his government, his people, his perrogative. enough with the drama.

NOW the little girl knows that the whole world knows she's too ugly to be on t.v.

Thanks alot whistleblower dude. Good call.

The whole world thanks you. And guess what? You don't look at ALL like a big ol' snitch. Not one bit.

Now can I ask something else???? Am I the ONLY one that sees the big fat elephant in the room? LOL

** see picture above to see what I'm talking about.

and go HERE for full article of fake shhhhhhtuff, including how fake the USA is compared to China, according to this reporter!