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I've tried direct-selling before. It's not that I was necessarily bad at it, I just chose companies that weren't good for me. (I'm not saying they were bad companies either).

I once signed up for Pampered Chef. One home party into it, I was painfully reminded that I didn't (and still don't) know how to cook. I ended up "quitting" shortly thereafter. My first party though, was a success.

Then I signed up for the Traveling Vineyard, about this time last year. Since the holidays were upon us, I thought that everyone would jump on buying wine and giving them out as corporate Christmas gifts. Everyone that had suggested I hold a party ended up getting pregnant or told me they weren't a wine drinker.  I didn't sell a dime worth of product. And I guess not as many people drink wine anymore than what I thought.

I've been putting some thought into another company, Scentsy, but at this juncture I simply cannot make up my mind. I'm working two jobs as it is, and though a few people have expressed some major interest and have said they'd buy from me, quite a few people are giving me, "I never use candles", or "my husband can't stand frangranty stuff". Even one of the major partners in my law firm (whose office is adorned with that Febreze CD player looking thing, diffusers, candles and roomsprays) said that it was "too expensive" to buy.

I don't want people to think, "Oh geez, she's going to shove another catalog into my face," everytime I walk into a room. I truly believe it's a thing that sells itself, but I guess it's one of those things that has to happen for it to be true. I can't just say how great a product is, because then people will think, "Oh geez, she's going about her sales schpeel,". I am not one to be pushy. And sometimes people are pushy in direct-sales.

One girl in my office is a sell for two different companies. She's rarely said hello to me when she walks in the door (and I've worked here a year). The second she started selling this stuff, she was as sweet as pie to me. But when I told her I was working two jobs (and stage managing a play) and didn't have time to hold a party, she kinda backed off and she was back to her "old self" again. I can't justify spending $80.00 on a bracelet. Sorry. I'm just not that rich of a woman.

I just don't know what to do. Maybe I should just plug in a burner here at work, and see the women who turned me down marvel at how nice it smells.

What do you all think? Should I sign up to be a consultant?

Until my birthday. I'm planning on having a kid-friendly birthday since the majority of my adult friends are either with child or already have them. We'll see how this goes down. On Sunday I plan on having a bowling frenzy at one of the casinos in the southwest, and so far the expected turnout seems to be promising.

My roommate left for a mini vacation to California this morning, but not before giving my birthday present early. Inside a very funny Pamela Anderson birthday card was a much needed massage (gratuity included) gift certificate. I've been wanting a massage for so long now, and I cannot wait to use it!!

I've been wanting to treat myself to something special for a bit now, and I'm wanting either a really nice digital SLR camera like the cool one the boyfriend has, or an acoustic guitar. I've had this "yearn to learn" the guitar for a few years now, but was worried I wouldn't be able to dedicate as much time to it as I'd like to.

I stopped by Guitar Center last night after work. I spoke with a specialist over the phone yesterday before I went, and he seemed friendly. I told him my price range but I didn't know what I was looking for since I have never played. He showed me quite a few guitars, but to be honest I'm still in the dark as to what to pick out. I obviously have to save up for it a tad, but the one (and only) guitar I held yesterday was a Takamine, which was $299.99. After googling it, I fear that the model number might be wrong because it isnt even on the Guitar Center website. I think I might have to do a little more detective work.

I totally stole this from my Women's Health Magazine. But I thought everyone might enjoy the links.

Junk in da trunk

Ah, stuff. We need it, we want it, we love it. Until we hate it, get bored with it, or wear it out. Sure, some of it winds up in the green bin or goes to Goodwill. But chances are, you're sending a lot of things that have a shot at a second life to spend their final days in a landfill. Here are some of the treasures and trash we toss--and the websites ready to snatch them up.

CDs, DVDs
Why: Trashed discs don't decompose, really--ever.
How: Go to cdrecyclingcenter.com (you pay for shipping); it accepts the disc and all its packaging, including sleeves, jewel cases, DVD cases, and paper.
Perks: KOs toxic chemicals

Cell phones, PDAs, and phone accessories
Why: They can be traded in for cash or overhauled and given to survivors of domestic violence.
How: For cash, go to greenphone.com; to help out, go to gooddeed­foundation.org (both offer free S&H).
Perks: offers cash back, helps those in need, free shipping, KOs toxic chemicals

Computers
Why: They're loaded with hazardous chemicals like lead and mercury, and about 133,000 of them are tossed every day.
How: Go to myboneyard.com to junk computers or monitors.
Perks: offers cash back, free shipping, KOs toxic chemicals

General electronics
Why: Americans toss 2 million tons of e-gear annually, releasing toxins into the air and water. Trashing electronics can send metals like gold and silver to landfills, necessitating more mining.
How: Costco members can recycle computers, camcorders, digital cameras, printers, faxes, game systems, monitors, and PDAs for a Costco Cash Card (go to costco.com and click on "electronics"). Office Depot stores take most of the above, plus VCRs, DVD players, TVs, and peripherals, for a fee ($5 to $15, depending on the amount; officedepot.com/techrecycling). Sony provides free drop-off locations for many of its products (sony.com/recycle).
Perks: offers cash back, KOs toxic chemicals

iPods
Why: Most components of MP3 players don't decompose.
How: If you're not keen on ­pawning your iPod on Craigslist or it has finally died, return it to an Apple store and get 10 percent off your upgrade. Or ship it for free via snail mail (get the address at apple.com/environment/recycling/ipodrecycling).
Perks: offers cash back, free shipping

Printer cartridges
Why: You can get cash for your empties, and recycling one laserjet cartridge saves three quarts of oil.
How: Go to tonerbuyer.com (free S&H), or go to hp.com to unload HP inkjet or laser-jet cartridges (they don't offer you cash back, but shipping is free).
Perks: offers cash back, free shipping, KOs toxic chemicals

Printers, peripherals, software, and computers
Why: Charities, schools, and public agencies can use them.
How: Find an organization through cristina.org; they'll typically come and pick up your stuff.
Perks: free pickup, helps those in need, KOs toxic chemicals

Rechargeable batteries and cell phones
Why: Toxins from these items can leach into the waste stream.
How: Toss lithium ions into bins at Target, Best Buy, and other retailers (full list at rbrc.org). The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation also refurbishes and sells phones to benefit charities.
Perks: helps those in need, KOs toxic chemicals

Regular batteries
Why: Americans use 3 billion per year, creating 100,000 tons of waste annually.
How: Batteryrecycling.com will take them off your hands for a fee (weight x $0.85 + S&H).
Perks: KOs toxic chemicals

Business attire
Why: Low-income women receive interview- and career-worthy ensembles.
How: Find drop-off locations or mailing addresses at dressforsuccess.org (you pay S&H).
Perks: helps those in need

Formalwear and accessories
Why: Disadvantaged girls in the Chicago area can be Cinderella for prom night.
How: The Glass Slipper Project takes dresses, shoes, evening bags, jewelry, and unused makeup. Go to glassslipperproject.org (you pay S&H).
Perks: helps those in need

Polartec fleece and base layers
Why: Worn-out threads become brand-new duds.
How: Patagonia will take your threadbare items. Drop them off at a retail store or mail them (you pay S&H). Get more info at patagonia.com.

Sneakers
Why: Your cruddy kicks are converted into athletic and playground surfaces.
How: Find drop-off stations or a mail-in address at letmeplay.com/reuseashoe (you pay S&H).
Perks: helps those in need

Books
Why: You can help stock libraries and schools worldwide with textbooks, dictionaries, and children's books.
How: Go to intlbookproject.org for info.
Perks: helps those in need

Carpets
Why: About 3.5 billion pounds of carpeting gets dumped each year, but you can give it a second life as roofing shingles or railroad ties.
How: Find a local reclamation center at carpetrecovery.org.
Perks: KOs toxic chemicals

Home, office, and outdoor furniture, appliances, and supplies
Why: They get new lives at needy schools and nonprofits.
How: Go to excessaccess.com ($5 annually).
Perks: helps those in need

Lightbulbs
Why: Compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) contain mercury--one bulb's worth can pollute 6,000 gallons of water.
How: Order a recycling kit at lightbulbrecycling.com/cf_bulb.html; there's also free CFL drop-off at Ikea.
Perks: KOs toxic chemicals

Bicycles
Why: Support people-powered transportation and provide free wheels to needy kids.
How: Find participating community donation programs on ibike.org.
Perks: helps those in need

Outdoor equipment
Why: Your used camping gear (boots, bags, tents) goes to youth hiking programs, park rangers in Afghanistan, and female porters in Uganda.
How: Go to gear4good.com (you pay S&H).
Perks: helps those in need

Workout equipment
Why: Cash for dust collectors.
How: Try playitagainsports.com.
Perks: offers cash back

Toxic leftovers
Why: Anything with a caution label shouldn't go in a landfill.
How: Find takers at earth911.org.
Perks: KOs toxic chemicals

Obligatory Pint O' Guinness - 26th Birthday

Well, not quite. My birthday is in eleven days. At that time I will be turning 27 years old. TWENTY. FRIGGIN. SEVEN. (How did I get so old?) I'm not anticipating it to be a huge birthday blowout like most kids get. Then again, I've never had a birthday blowout that is completely focused on making the birthday girl happy. I never had birthday parties as a kid with a bunch of friends and balloons and streamers. I didn't have a bunch of friends either. I had very few.

My 18th milestone birthday was getting adjusted to Las Vegas. Two months prior (and just shortly after high school graduation), I moved here from Minnesota....where the legal gambling age is 18. I got to wait 3 more years. Woo.

And on my 21st birthday, I was a bridesmaid in rural Pennsylvania. The only drink I had that day was a strawberry dacquiri.

But I digress.

Last year, I went to a local irish pub with a cover band.

Only a handful of people showed up, but they were the most important to me (with the exception of one girl who couldn't come because she had food poisoning. She's a very dear friend of mine). My then-friend Heather, who was about 5 months pregnant, even showed up. (Unfortunately we aren't friends anymore, but that was one of the best times I had with her.)

I informed the band that it was my birthday and it would rock if they could play some songs. Trying not to look at the tweaked out drummer who was obviously tripping off of something, I waited patiently to hear my requests. And waited. And waited. About two hours in, we went to another bar, with none of my songs being played. Why?

If ya pay them to play a song, they'll push you to the front of the request queue. (Forgot for a second that I was in Vegas and almost everything is money driven). I later discovered that I had left behind (I don't know how) an Old Navy gift card that was given to me by Heather. Another downfall of the evening.

I'm not saying I had a bad birthday last year. It was wonderful; spent with the people who meant most to me. Got buzzed to the point that I was taking pictures of whatever crossed my lens. (My boyfriend surprised me with tickets to see Phantom of the Opera at the Venetian. Hands down the best gift I've ever gotten from a "S-O".)

What are my expectations for this year?

Ay, there's the rub. That's where I went wrong. I had them in the first place. This year, I'm going to let whatever happens....happen. I don't have any plans other than spending it with my boyfriend and receiving haphazard phone call birthday wishes from friends and loved ones.

COUGHBut I will point out my Amazon.com wishlist on my sidebarCOUGH

if anyone reads this.

I want my boyfriend's camera!!!

My boyfriend took this picture with his fancy new camera.

About a week ago, the boyfriend bought a beautiful digital SLR camera. Specifically, this one. He's been tinkering with it here and there pretty much every free chance he gets and it makes me mad. Why? Because I can't tinker with it too. For years, I've been somewhat stuck with a Sony Cybershot 3.2 MP "Point-And-Shoot" camera. Back in the day, it was fabulous. But times have changed. It's almost like playing with Atari while Xbox is flying off the shelves.

I took some "wannabe" photos of my best friend Dion and her son, Phoenix, when he was very young (he'll be three now this November). They turned out good, but obviously the professional quality of any photo taken with a 3.2 MP camera and no lighting equipment will be next to nothing. She was happy with how they turned out, so I was too. I still think it could have been done better.

My favorite photo. DEFEAT!

He was holding my hand :)

Photo 1

How big he's gotten...

One of the Borders books here in Las Vegas has buttloads of Paperchase stuff marked 50-75% off. Adorable spiral-bound journals that are normally $9.99 are marked to $5.99 - two ornate picture frames that are normally $12.99 are marked 75% off.

Should I...........or shouldn't I............start putting things aside as Christmas gifts? I don't even know who I'd give them to? Perhaps I should make a EGK......and "Emergency Gift Kit"

HELP!?