My Thoughts/a PSA

I don't like emotions.

If you know me, this makes perfect sense as I refuse to watch movies where I'm going to be afraid, sad, or the dog dies.  

On September 11th this year, I didn't say anything on social media.  Not because I didn't feel anything, just because I didn't know what to say.

If you've been following my blog/facebook/life for the past several years, you may know that I'm a Navy contractor and that I worked at the Navy Yard for a long time and that my husband also works there.  

If you followed the news this week you'll know that something awful happened there.  

I don't really know what to say. I'm thankful that it wasn't our building, my colleagues are all safe and accounted for, and I'm super extra thankful that Joey didn't drop me off at HQ on Monday and then head to the Navy Yard as planned because we would have had to call someone for a ride back to Woodbridge at 8pm when they lifted the lockdown.

When crazy things are happening in the news, please remember that everything you hear in the media is not true.  While everyone wants to get information out as quickly as possible, try not to post something on Facebook/Twitter unless you know it to be true or at least multiple media outlets are reporting it.  The worst thing to do is spread rumors that aren't facts.  I saw several posts about shots fired at the White House and Bolling AFB... they were simply not true.  Why would you cause even more hysteria if it's not necessary?

Perhaps it's the Comm major in me, but I think it's important to leave emotions out of communication during these situations.  Tell people the facts and give them guidance but leave your feelings at home and be sure you are reporting accurate information.

We are going to move forward.  

Let's remember to pay attention to our surroundings and give all our loved ones an extra squeeze.

~SG

Don't Forget!!!

Google Reader is going away on Monday!!! These are very sad times, but thanks to my friend Gage I am now all set up on www.theoldreader.com.  I recommend it if you haven't found a new home yet.

Now, it takes a minute or five to download your subscriptions from Reader, so make sure to do that this week or else you'll have to remember every single blog you're subscribed to when you set up your new account.

That's really all I have to say so I guess I'll throw in a picture so as not to be completely boring:

Face it, you'd miss me.

~SG

Remember Remember

The 6th of November!
I'm putting my voting crap on my blog so that people only read it because they want to, not because it shows up on their news feed.  There is no political discussion to follow, and there never will be on this blog.

PSA: Go vote!

Trivia: It's been said that Mickey Mouse gets over 20,000 votes per year as a write-in candidate.

I waited 1 hour, 46 minutes for this sticker :)
PS: Check the manicure ;)

Enjoyed my first peppermint mocha of the season, and got a free bracelet!

Finally, whoever wins, I ask that we all remember to respect the new President.  Whether or not we voted for him, we need to remember that he is now the Commander in Chief and deserves our utmost respect.

~SG

PSA of the Day

Better keep your umbrellas on hand this weekend.  Or, actually, maybe just wear a helmet...

PSA of the Day

Today's public service announcement has to do with reading my own blog.  Do any of you bloggers out there read your own blogs?  Well I do. And I realized I sound like a broken record when apologizing for not posting for long intervals.

So here is my PSA:

I'm not sorry anymore.  I will post when my schedule allows it and you will have to deal with it!

I feel much better now.

PSA

Today's Public Service Announcement is dedicated to a close friend of ours.

Please, if you or someone you love exhibits any of the below warning signs, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

The below information is from The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (www.afsp.org):

Recognize the Imminent Dangers

The signs that most directly warn of suicide include:

• Threatening to hurt or kill oneself
• Looking for ways to kill oneself (weapons, pills or other means)
• Talking or writing about death, dying or suicide
• Has made plans or preparations for a potentially serious attempt

Other warning signs include expressions or other indications of certain intense feelings in addition to depression, in particular:

• Insomnia
• Intense anxiety, usually exhibited as psychic
• pain or internal tension, as well as panic attacks
• Feeling desperate or trapped -- like there's no way out
• Feeling hopeless
• Feeling there's no reason or purpose to live
• Rage or anger

Certain behaviors can also serve as warning signs, particularly when they are not characteristic of the person's normal behavior. These include:

• Acting reckless or engaging in risky activities
• Engaging in violent or self-destructive behavior
• Increasing alcohol or drug use
• Withdrawing from friends or family

If you would like to make a donation, please click here.

Public Service Announcement

I’ve decided it’s finally time I make this announcement on my blog.  While this happened quite a while ago, I didn’t really know how to tell people because I guess I thought they wouldn’t think I was as cool or something…

I am no longer coaching the Washington Capitals Red Rockers.  Professional differences were causing an unhappy working environment, and I’ve moved on in hopes of getting involved with bigger and better things!  I miss my Red Rockers very much, though, and I love getting to see them out and about in DC.

This means two things.

1. I can now openly support my favorite hockey team.

2. I have SO MUCH FREE TIME.  It is seriously amazing.  For the first time in my 26 years of living, I do not have an extracurricular activity.  Yes folks, ever since elementary school, my Mom would pick me up at 4pm and whisk me off to ballet class.  Then came middle school and highschool, where ballet was every day.  Then college, where dance team consumed my life.  Then post-college, where professional dance teams eat up every moment of your life not already consumed by your full-time job.

So here I am at 26, enjoying the fact that I get to GO HOME after work.  It might seem like a little thing to you, but all you dancers out there will TOTALLY know what I mean.

Like I said before, bigger and better things are in the works.  So don’t think this is the last you’ll hear about my dancing endeavors ;)

Love,

SG