Who is Sloppy Joe?

Disclaimer: This post isn't for the weak in stomach.  Don't say I never told ya so.

It all began last night when James and I were talking on the phone.  He was coming up with some disgusting would-you-rather scenarios, actually just trying to remember some out of the Would You Rather book he owns.  First of all-- Ew.  I've always been grossed out by that game.  Okay, so it's pretty funny most of the time... but still.  In his last particular "would you rather" inquiry he said, "Would you rather eat your least favorite food for the rest of your life or eat your favorite food cooked under questionable circumstances for the rest of your life?" ...or something like that.  We all know how I am with direct quotes.  I, of course, picked favorite food prepared in sketchy circumstances.  Why?  I'll tell you why.

Sloppy Joes.  I. Hate. Them.  To me, they are the most disgusting things on the planet.  Okay that might be taking it a bit far.  But I don't like them.  At all.  They are my least favorite food.

I mean, look at that.  G R O S S.  Okay, so there are probably about a million other 'foods' that might be 10,000,000 times more disgusting.  Maybe I should further explain my utter dislike for this loose meat in gross tomatoey substance.  My whole life, Sloppy Joes have not been my favorite.  For a while, I could tolerate them.  But mark my words-- I've NEVER liked them.  One night, Mom made them for dinner.  I ate one, reluctantly.  I spent the whole night in the bathroom floor throwing up.  I don't think it was the food that made me sick.  Pretty sure I had a stomach bug or something.  Sloppy Joe is nasty the first time you taste it... I won't mention how awful it tastes the second time, third time, fourth time... and so on.

I was telling James about my hate for Joe last night.  Then I began to wonder... Who is Joe?  I don't know who he is, but his idea of dinner delight is not cute.  But really... who is Joe?  And why did he come up with such a detestable sandwich?  I then began my search for the truth.

According to my google searching that lasted approximately half an hour, I came to these conclusions:  No one knows who Joe is.  No one knows exactly where this sandwich originated.  Some theories suggest it began during the depression as a way to stretch out hamburger meat to feed more people or make it last longer.  One website said it began in Havana, Cuba.  Somebody else said there's some restaurant in New Jersey called Sloppy Joe's and they claim to have coined the name.  Another article said it must have been named by a restaurant who had a worker named Joe who invented the sandwich-- but they don't know that for sure.  

Sloppy Joe.  Hmmm... I mean, I guess the "Sloppy" part of the name is a given.  Those sandwiches pretty sloppy and messy.  I still wonder who "Joe" is though...  He needs credit where credit is due.  Although I hate his creation, there are 2309809234 Americans who love it.  I'm sorry, Joe, that no one knows who you are.

Who are you, Joe?  Whooo are you? Who who?  Who who?  I reeeally wanna know.  (And today's song to be stuck in your head is brought to you by The Who.)

Greetings

Dear 15-year-old Ashley,

Don't ask how or why this letter has arrived.  It really doesn't matter.  Here in a few years, a new TV series will debut called LOST.  After falling in love with this show, you'll begin to think anything is possible as far as time travel is concerned.

So, you've been in high school for about a year and I know you hate it.  Chin up, though.  A piece of advice-- you may not want to skip school so much.  College scholarships will really come in handy in the future.  Believe me.  Go to class.  Study every once in a while.

With the help of a few ignorant high school boys (and their parents), you'll go through high school thinking you're too big or not pretty enough to find love and you'll settle in relationships because of that notion.  Let me stop that thought right in it's tracks.  You ARE pretty.  You shouldn't put up with anyone who says otherwise.  I would say don't even bother with high school "love," but you'll learn some valuable lessons and figure out exactly what you want in a man.  I will say this: don't get so torn up over ended relationships.  It's for the best.  In more than one way.

Don't be that shy and timid girl who sits in class and doesn't talk to anyone.  You will probably miss out on getting to know some pretty awesome kids.  Come out of that shell and realize you're capable of so much more.  Oh, and there's more to your wardrobe than jeans, converse, and t-shirts.  You know that, right?

You might want to take a few art classes to see if you still have a passion for it.  Oh, and maybe take a few general education classes at Fo' Tech the summer before you go to college.  I'm tellin' ya... it'll save some major bucks.

When you get to college, it will be life-changing.  I won't go into all of the details.  You'll see.  :)  However, I will say this again-- go to class and study.  I'm for real.  It will make life a lot less stressful.

You're going to meet a whoooole lot of people in the next several years.  Some of those people will become your best friends.  You'll laugh with them and cry with them... and grow together as Christian brothers and sisters.  Don't take time with them for granted.  I know you're not a huge fan of the phone, but try harder to keep up with old friends.

Go to more campus-wide devos.  Never miss a Clayton Chapel Singing.  Read your Bible more.  Sing louder.  Pray more.  ...and chapel 5 days a week really isn't that bad.

I could go on and tell you all the secrets of life... ha!  But I'll let you figure out some things on your own.

With Love,
23-year-old Ashley

Happy Day

In all of my extra time these days, I found a website that amuses me greatly-- stumbleupon.com.  Everyone I've talked to knew about this already.  Meh.  It's probably good I only found out about it recently because it is just another procrastination tool I would use to put off studying.

This website has a "stumble" button you press and it just takes you to random websites.  Get it?  Stumble unpon?  Hah.  Some of the websites are really neat.  I know I wouldn't have found them on my own.

Today, during my stumbling, I found this.

I love every bit of that!  It's simple.  It's what life should be.  I know I get caught up in all the details of life... like what I'm going to be when I grow up.  But here is my answer.   Just.  Be.  Happy.

"You're a copycatter!!!"

That's right.  You remember saying those same words to weird boy who sat next to you in 2nd grade who couldn't keep his eyes on his own paper.  Or maybe you never once said that and I'm just a loser.  Eh, wouldn't be the first time I made up a word.  Today, I am a copycatter.  A few weeks ago Emily did this in her blog, and today I'm doing the same.  Woot.

1.  My BFF & BF.  Does that make him a BBFF (best-boy-friend-forever)??  

  

2.  My Ex.

3.  Someone that can make me smile.

4.  Someone with amazing hair.

5.  Someone I trust. 

6.  Someone that amuses me.

7.  A boy that makes me laugh.

8.  A girl that makes me laugh.

9.  Someone(s) I miss.

10.  Someone I think is weird.

(Yeah, sometimes he takes after his sister.)

11.  Someone I think is unique.

12.   3   2 people I've had some memorable experiences with.

13.  Someone with beautiful eyes.

(Yep, this is creepy.  Here's a picture of her beautiful face, too.)

14.  Someone perverted.

15.  2 people with amazing voices.

16.  Someone emotional.

(You should have SEEN what Glamour Girl did to her. No worries though.  Thanks to Operation Steal the Teal, Farmer Anne and Elvis Chick weren't emotional for long.)

17. An awesome actress.

18. An awesome actor.

(And yet again I'm a copycatter.  Emily also put Mason for this.)

19.  Someone fashionable.

20. Someone(s) that I enjoy being with.

21.  Someone I'm glad I met.

22.  The funniest dancer.

It's safe to say the past few days have been especially rough for me.  I'm beyond frustrated with my unemployment and I'm just getting into a funk.  I've been a Negative Nancy, a Debbie Downer, etc. etc. I miss TN so so much.  I'm jealous of everyone going to Makin' Music practices, hanging out in the dorm room, and having fun.  Atleast I know that I can think of all the people in those pictures and smile because I've had great moments with each and every one of them.  I know things will get better.  I just have to tell myself that.

1,201 weeks, 8,401 days, 201,624 hours... and counting

Wednesday of last week was my 23rd birthday.  That means, today, I am 1,201 weeks old.  That's about 8,401 days and approximately 201,624 hours.  What on earth have I been doing for all this time?  I know they say time goes by quickly, but wow.  I still think it's sort of insane that it's year 2010-- that Y2K was a decade ago,  9/11 was nearly 9 years ago, and I was a senior in high school during this time 5 years ago.  Insane.  Time, where have you gone??  

At any rate, my birthday was a pretty good one.  It's the first birthday I've had at home since I went away to school.  So that was a little surreal, but fun nonetheless.  I took some pictures of my fun time birthday gifts and such along the way, of course.  Didn't want to disappoint.

My birthday began a few days early when I received this card in the mail.  It's from Emily and Robert.  I'm going to go out on a limb and say that Emily picked out the card and Robert just signed it.  Otherwise, it would be pretty awkward.  (Then again, I think Robert and Nik probably say the same kinds of things to each other.  Hah, just kiddin.)   However, it does describe Emily and me perfectly.  Robert and Emily both scolded me for opening the card early... in my defense, there was no "DO NOT OPEN UNTIL B-DAY" warning label.  And we all know how much I love getting mail.  It was most definitely a day-brightener.

The weekend before my glorious Bday, I went to Costco with Mom and Dad.  While there, we decided to go ahead and get my cake.  Because I love Costco cakes, and they've got the best cake prices.  (Have I mentioned I applied for a job there?  Look at me marketing for them.  I should be hired immediately.)  Ahem, here is a picture:

I lovingly refer to it as my "Noah Cake."  No, I wouldn't normally buy a cake with a rainbow, but it was the only one that had my favorite flavor-- vanilla cake and vanilla icing.  Mmmm.  This picture really does it no justice.  I mean, this cake was HUGE.  9.5 pounds.  So, we bought the cake 4 days in advance... but I assure you there was sill cake left on my real life birthday, too.  Yep.  Nine and a half pounds.  Don't believe me?? 

 See?? It was insanely ginormous.

It was also amazingly delish.  

 

It also had a layer of buttercream.  This cake = a fat kid's dream.  

On the saaame day, Dad bought a wireless router for the house.  Happy birthday to meeee!

So, now I can get on the internet any time.  AND I can write blogs... if and when I find things to blog about!

My parents bought me theeeeese DVD's.  I know, I know.  I'm surprised I didn't already own these either.

Think Mom was inspired by my previous Ghostbustin' blog post?  I think yes. :)

I got another card in the mail from Christine, Alyssa, and Emily.

Cute, isn't it??  I miss them terribly.

I woke up on March 3rd, my real birthday, and there was a package on the front porch waiting for me.  It was from James.

A card, 2 books, a journal, and some M&M's....  And enough packing peanuts for about 10 packages.  You know, those little styrofoamy things they put in boxes so stuff won't get broken when they're shipped?  You should have seen me trying to open this box and those peanut things flying everywhere.  I guess I was a tad bit excited about my birthday present??  I love it.

Later that day I went out to eat at TLC (Texas Land & Cattle) with Mom.  Okay, I don't know if you've ever heard of one of those before or not.  But it's a steak house, and the name of it kind of gives me the creeps.  That's why I'm gonna call it TLC from now on, not to be confused with tender love and care.  Good food though.  And it was nice to have time with my momma.

After that I spent 2 hours at a job interview thing.  I was real excited about at first but to make a long story short, it didn't work out.

After thaaaaat, I went to visit my grandparents for a few minutes.  They also gave me a card and some money, for which I'm very thankful.  

The blue card is from Katie Hannah.  It made me so happy!

23rd Birthday in Review

Scrumptious Birthday Cake: Check!

Friends who love me:  Check!

Wonderful family: Check!

Best boyfriend ever: Check!

that's what everybody wants

I watched Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist for the second time today.  


So, this movie isn't entirely appropriate... but I find it endearing anyway.  I love that a bunch of teens are roaming around New York searching for their favorite band's show.   I love the adventure.  I love the spontaneity.  I love how insanely random it is.  And I love how Nick and Norah find each other in the midst of music.  


Nick is a big dork.  He makes mix CD's all the time--  I think we might have a few things in common.  Most of my friends have been given an Ashley mix CD at some point during our friendship.  And usually the CDs have no theme... just a random collection of songs that I decided to join together on a given day.  Sometimes I make CDs for rides to retreats or for certain road trip adventures (ahem, HPA).  


Music has always meant a lot to me.  I guess I can thank my parents for that one.  Dad seemed to have a record playing at home a lot of the time and the car radio was always turned to some classic rock station. 


I remember the tape player that used to reside in my room, along with all these tapes Dad made for mom when they were dating.  I'd listen to one while I sat in the floor coloring... or when my Barbies were at a rock concert, or when they were the rockstars themselves.  


I remember my first CD player and The Eagles Greatest Hits and REO Speedwagon CDs that came with it (thanks again, Dad, for some awesome music).  I remember begging Mom and Dad for the Beatles' red and blue albums and how excited I was to finally own each of them.


I even remember the first CD I purchased with my own money-- Hanson.  Go ahead and judge.  I still listen to it. 
 :)


There are very few songs I hear that don't have some kind of memory attached to it, or make me think of someone.  Music has always been a comfort to me.

"Look, other bands, they want to make it about sex or pain, but you know, The Beatles, they had it all figured out, okay? 'I Want to Hold Your Hand.' The first single. It's effing brilliant, right?... That's what everybody wants, Nicky... They just want to hold your hand. " _Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist 

 Ingenious music.  Couldn't agree more.

too lazy for a REAL blog today

So, as I was looking through some of my old facebook notes today, I came across this one.  Here you go,  my readers, now you have something to read today since there is nothing to blog about currently in my life.

This is a note I wrote laaaast January of 25 random things about me.  It was fun for me to read and think on a few things that are different these days.

1. My family runs powerlifting competitions in NC and SC several times a year. It's a unique event and I enjoy working at them most of the time.

2. You'll often find me with a diet coke in my hand. It is true that I love diet coke, but the whole truth is regular coke is my favorite drink of all time. I normally can't stop with just one.

3. I spent last summer up North. In Michigan. At first the thought of this terrified me, but it ended up being one of the greatest and most fulfilling summers I've ever had. I got to work with a youth group and made some amazing friends. I also learned a lot about who I am and what I'm capable of.

4. I can't whistle. I used to be able to... until the gap between my front teeth closed.

5. When I was little, my favorite movie was The Wizard of Oz. I watched it all the time but I hated the black and white part. So, I normally fast forwarded to color. It was many years down the road before I knew "Over the Rainbow" was even in that movie. I still love watching it, even the black and white part now. :)

6. My grandma is my hero. I think she is such a strong and talented woman. I wish I had her drive and work ethic.

7. I can't really swim. Don't judge me.

8. My first airplane ride, first mission trip, and first time out of the country was all last spring. It was amazing. Makes me seriously consider long term mission work somewhere.

9. I love roller coasters and amusement parks in general. Wooden roller coasters scare the living daylights out of me. I ride them anyway.

10. I've never had a cavity and I didn't need braces. Praise for that.

11. My favorite song right now is "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" by Lady Antebellum. I can't wait to find love like that. It's a precious song. Look it up.

12. Throughout middle school and my first few years of high school, I spent every Friday night at the skating rink. I was actually pretty good at it.

13. The Beatles are and forever will be my favorite band. I've been singing along with them since age 3.

14. Most of you know this, but I drive a '96 Isuzu Trooper. It's a gas guzzler and sounds like a school bus, but I'm very thankful to have it and I love driving it. I love ol' Trooper!!

15. I really like writing. And I always have intentions of keeping a journal. That being said, I've never filled one. I'm sure there are approximately 2398402 incomplete journals laying around my room. I just can't stay in the habit of writing often.

16. Of all current residents, I've lived in Hall Roland the longest.

17. During kindergarten screening I was asked to skip across the floor. I had no idea what that lady was talking about. I'm still not very coordinated.

18. My favorite color is red.

19. I'm addicted to earrings. If Claire's or Icing has their 10 items for $10 sale, I won't be able to help myself. Sad. I know.

20. I had a chorus solo in 8th grade. "Grown Up Christmas List." Sometimes I still get that same nervous feeling in my stomach when I hear the song. haha!

21. Going to NYC and seeing a Broadway show is very close to the top of my to-do list.

22. It's my secret dream to become a cake decorator some day. Has been a dream for years now. I actually considered doing that after high school. Too bad culinary school is even more expensive than Freed-Hardeman. Who knew?

23. I'm naming my first born son (if I have one) Charles, after my Pop. We'll call him Charlie. And he's going to be so cute. haha!

24. I have a stamp collection. Yeah, I've been known to have dork-ish tendencies.

25. I love painting. I love doing crafty things. If I could go back in time, I wouldn't have quit art class in 7th grade and I would have majored in Art Education.