superstitions

I saw a thread earlier on the message board about superstitions, which reminded me that the newsroom has more than its fair share.

They include people saying the "Q" word... you know, the one that means there isn't a whole lot of noise, and any variations of that word, as well as my special cursed shoes. Photographer Jeff Melton will attest to their power, as will former photographer John Derrick.

When I was the Sunday reporter, I'd wear the shoes occasionally on Sunday afternoons before heading to work. Eight times out of ten (or so it seemed), there'd be a fatal wreck, a shooting, or a house fire either waiting for me when I got in or it'd happen shortly after I arrived.

And heaven forbid if anyone would say the "Q" word on the same day.

That's a combo that spells disaster for some hapless Cleveland County soul.

At any rate, I try not to wear the shoes too much... the obits clerk doesn't like it...

Here's a picture of the cursed shoes, taken by former photographer John Derrick.

All this reminds me of a Stevie Wonder song - "Superstitious."


Do you have any weird superstitions that may (or may not) be rational? If so, either share them in the comments section or add to the superstitions post on the message board.

Health questions revisited

A few weeks ago, I posted a blog about embarrassing health questions. After a long and patient wait for some of you, I'll start getting answers to some of those questions soon.

I didn't get as many questions as I'd hoped, but I have enough to at least start with...

The first set all deal with women's health.

Hopefully, the second set will be men's health.

Then, after that, I think it'll just be a potpourri.

All of them are anonymous. (Post them on the message board or in the comments section here.)

Anyone else have a lingering question before I take them to the doctors of Cleveland Family Practice on Friday?

Going once... going twice...

Here they are: Lulu and Gracie

I've briefly mentioned my dogs a couple of times... so I thought I'd post a couple photos of them...

Lulu (the blonde) is the brains of the operation... Gracie (black and white) is the beauty. These photos were taken when Gracie was still a puppy... she still looks the same... only bigger. Lulu is a golden retriever, possibly sheltie mix and Gracie is a border collie, lab cross.

Makes me want another puppy

Got bored... looked at puppy videos on YouTube... I probably shouldn't do that again... Gracie and Lulu might get jealous... These videos made me want another puppy... until I remembered everything mine have chewed over the past few years... linoleum floor, chairs, couches and a bar stool, along with three pairs of Birkenstocks and countless toys with their stuffing ripped out...

Here are two of my favorites:

I wish my car could run on gummi bears

I wish my car could run on gummi bears instead of gas... Perhaps some scientist should try to harness the power... haha

Weird way to work out

I've found several new and exciting ways to work out over the past few weeks. I'm in the process of moving, so these are all move-inspired. (Please note the mixture of sarcasm, humor and yes, exhaustion.)

1. Painting - Who would have thought that the simple act of using a roller or paintbrush could make you feel muscles you didn't know you had and use the heck out of ones you were only mildly aware of. Tip: standing on your tiptoes to reach the top of the wall and painting while bent over backwards really burn the calories...
2. Gardening - When the soil hasn't been tilled in 20 years, it's almost as hard as rocks - especially when it was once landscaped with small white rocks (popular in the early '70s) that are now covered with soil. This is a great workout for legs that have to jump up and down on the shovel and for arms that have to do the actual digging. Pulling weeds is also an exercise for arms, legs and backs. All that time spent hunched over with your knees bent works your legs and back, and all the pulling works out your arms.
   
3. Moving - Anyone moved recently? If so, you know exactly what this involves. It's an exercise for arms, legs, backs, and just about any other muscle in your body you can possibly strain or sprain. Trust me, you'll feel the burn with this one, especially in the summer heat.
   
4. Moving is also an exercise of another sort - patience. It's hard to remember that the people who are helping you move all that stuff are really helping, instead of being there to drive you crazy and drop sofas and boxes on your toes...
   

So if anyone would like to try these great exercises, call me. I'll put you right to work.


By the way, I should have pictures of the house up soon.

Kool-Aid, pickles and a few rambles

A few rambles...

ONE - I've been moving for the past week and should be finished by the 15th. It's been quite the experience. My plan is to rent the new house for a few months, then buy it. So far, I've spent between $700 and $1,000 on minor repairs, paint and new light fixtures, not to mention the amount of time it's taken.

TWO - I can't believe I was seen in public wearing old flowered baggy shorts and a T-shirt with paint blobs on it at Lowe's by someone I know...


THREE - I couldn't sleep, so I was checking out MySpace profiles of friends of my friends. (Here's mine - probably also dumb) I came to the conclusion that there are a lot of stupid ones out there. More than a few contained statements like this one: "I'm an outgoing introvert. I'm pretty mellow at times but engaging at other times." Are you kidding me??

FOUR - I made a trip to Wal-Mart tonight for Kool-Aid and pickles. An odd combo, right? Evidently it's pretty good, according to a story we're planning to use in the Food section on Wednesday. I'm making it as a test kitchen, so we'll see. Anybody else do any odd pickling? If so, post a comment at the bottom of this blog.

iHype

With all the talk about the new iPhone, I thought I'd check out Urban Dictionary.com to see what new iWords were out there.

Here are a few of my favorites:

• iPerbole - The hype surrounding anything Apple unveils
• iPauseworthy - Something worth pausing the iPod for (Sometimes it's hard to make the distinction between something that is and something that isn't.)
• iPeople - People who are so consumed in their iPod culture that they never are actually seen without earbuds in their ear, and an iPod proudly displayed. (I have one that I use at work when I need to concentrate and in the car, but I'm definitely not guilty of this.)

But no iHype blog would be complete without a few negative Urban Dictionary definitions of the iPod (I still love mine, though).
Here are a few:

• Everything wrong with western society contained within a small media player.
• The Most Expensive way to listen to music.
• Hard drive mp3 player whose only pro is it's aesthetic design.

This one, however, is my favorite.

• A device to offend the counter culture.

Embarrassing questions

I'm a personal fan of anonymity when it comes to health care.

If I had my way, my doctor wouldn't know my name, what my face looks like or where I live. It would free me up to ask some potentially embarrassing (and probably kind-of dumb) questions.

When it comes to asking embarrassing questions, I think most people would adopt that same stance.

But since none of that happens in real life, I'm going to offer readers a one-in-a-million chance to ask those questions - anonymously, of course.

The plan is for me to compile all those anonymous embarrassing questions - for women, men, tweens, teens... just about everybody. Then I'll take them to area physicians and get them answered for the Health page.

To do that, though, I need your questions! They can be about anatomy, sex, noises, drooping, farts, discharges... just about anything! If you're too embarrassed to ask your doctor in person, I'll ask for you.

So send them in...
ONLINE: Post a comment to this blog anonymously.
ONLINE: Use the "Talk Back" feature on shelbystar.com. (It's just above the weather.)
E-MAIL: Send me an e-mail to emilykillian@shelbystar.com.
CALL ME: (704) 484-7000 x 122
MAIL: P.O. Box 48, Shelby, NC 28151
BRING YOUR QUESTION BY: 315 E. Graham St., Shelby

Remember: You have nothing to lose - I'll never mention your name and you'll get that burning question answered.

Transformers

Does anyone remember the Transformers cartoon or have any of the old action figures? We're trying to put together coverage for the upcoming movie and wanted to do a little vintage throwback... Leave info. in the comments section or send me an e-mail. Thanks!

In the meantime, here's a link to the movie's site.