Friday Favorites: Happy First Day of Fall

Growing up if you would have asked me my favorite season without hesitation I would have said SUMMER. But as we grow up there are less summer days spent basking in the sun or spending the whole ENTIRE day in the pool.  While  Spring brings renewal and flowers I am not a fan of the rain.  Maybe if I lived elsewhere I would love winter, but minus a few days out of the year the snow and ice cause more headaches than a winterwonderland fairytale.  I still love getting swept up in the excitement of the first snow and the holiday seasons, but I think fall has moved into first place.  Fall to me is also about new beginnings and anticipation.  Until I get my Ph. D I am going to have many more first day of classes.  And with every leaf that falls you know the holidays are that much closer.

So since the first day of Fall fell on a Friday it was apropos that I tell you my Favorite Things About Fall.  This is not an all inclusive list so feel free to post or email me some of your favorites.

Drinks to warm you up: Coffee, Pumpkin Coffee, Apple Cider, Hot Chocolate (Even better spiking any of those drinks)

Colorful Leaves especially on tree lined roads

Football

Hoodies and leggings while lounging at home

Scarves for fashion not necessity

Little kids on Halloween

The comfort in the fact ABC Family will play the same exact movies as they have the past decade

Leaves crunching

Cuddling under furry, soft blankets

Pumpkin Patches

Homecomings

Haunted Houses

Cute boot

Happy Fall.  Enjoy some of your favorite things today!

"To take a life when a life has been lost is revenge, not justice." -Desmond Tutu

     Any time there is a disaster or a grand injustice it makes the news and celebrities and then their fans jump on the bandwagon to support the cause.  Often times though after a new cause becomes "trendy" the support falls by the wayside.  I sincerely hope that this is not true in this case.  

   By now I am sure you heard about Troy Davis.  If you haven't I don't know whether to be amazed that you can survive without the influences of the media or disappointed that you do not keep up with what is going on in the world around you. 

  Before continuing in this post I want to make it very clear that my heart goes out to the family of Police Officer Mark MacPhail the victim in this case.  I can only imagine the utter hell that they went through having him taken away from him, the court case, etc.  Justice is something that anyone victimized wants, but unfortunately even justice won't undo the harm.

   Something else that can never be undone: putting an innocent man to death.  The United States is one of the leaders of the world and a place that is supposed to understand human rights, yet we still put people to death, something a lot of industrialized countries have outlawed. In the United States we have a birthright that we are presumed innocent until proven guilt.  This means until there is enough evidence that a person is guilty they are innocent.  In the case of Troy Davis he (had to have been) presumed innocent. The murder weapon used in this crime was never found.  The only part of the weapon linking Davis to this crime was shell casings that were linked to a shooting that Davis was previously convicted of.  While that does cause doubt, that is never enough to prove guilt, especially on a hot gun that was most likely bought on the street.  More importantly several of the witnesses who claimed Davis was the shooter recanted.  A few of the jurors also stepped forward stating that they believe they were wrong and changed their mind of the verdict.  Even more a few other people have claimed another man confessed to them that they were in fact the shooter.

   If you are at all questioning whether Troy Davis was innocent or guilty you should question whether or not the United States should still have the death penalty.  Those of you who support the death penalty are probably thinking, "how can she be ok with murderers, rapists, cop killers, etc who are caught red handed or admitted they committed the crime not getting the death penalty?"  My answer is that for one thing a judge, a jury, or the person completing the death penalty proceedings are not God.  I also don't believe them living means that they shouldn't be punished.  More importantly I understand that while we have to "sacrifice" and allow those criminals to live we would be making sure innocent ones were not put to death.  

   The other big argument always seems to be "Why should tax payers have to pay to let a criminal rot in jail the rest of their life?"  Well if you do any research at all, even just a quick Google search you will realize that it costs MORE to put a prisoner to death.  

    Think of how many prisoners were put to death or locked up only to have their innocence proven due to DNA testing?  Imagine if there are scientific break throughs that would find even more people innocent?  

    There is always the human factor.  I know race was brought up a lot in Troy Davis's case and stats do prove that there is an inequitableness to the death penalty.  More than just stats though it has been proven that races have trouble properly identifying people of other races.  It is hard enough for victims or witnesses to pick out victims of their race so with that knowledge why should we ever believe that they would be able to pick out of a line up of a different race?

  

    My hope is that today's post is making you think.  While I do have stats backing up my opinion in the end it is MY opinion posted here.  I urge all of you to make your own informed and educated opinions on this and all topics.  There are times I cannot imagine living without Google and am so thankful that I live in an age where I can be dependent upon myself to research and form the views that I hold deep in my heart.

If you want to become more informed, like I said search engines are your best friend, but here are a few places to help you out, friend:

DEATH PENALTY INFORMATION CENTER

Amnesty International

ACLU

World Coalition Against the Death Penalty


While I vehemently  disagree with the death penalty informing you means showing both sides.  To learn more about the pro death penalty movement you can go to: Pro Death Penalty

If you want to get involved in abolishing the death penalty you can find ways to support in some of the above links as well as:

Reprieve and the Innocence Project among others.

~"A human being is not attaining his full heights until he is educated." ~Horace Mann

Here We GO

Happy Steelers Day...oops, sorry I meant Happy Sunday.  The first home game of the regular season deserves a post.  Nothing like some good music (and some funny steelers music) to make you smile.  Enjoy (all videos from Youtube):

It's Friday.

If I could I would make a calendar without the date September 16.  Unfortunately the reality is I can't.  Today it has been 11 years since my dad died.  While it was hard losing him I do try to realize I was lucky to survive the car accident.  I try to live everyday in a manner that would make him proud and do try to live a happy life.  I do however give myself this day to just let my emotions be whatever they may be. Needless to say I'm not really in a Friday Favorites sort of mood.  I promise next week I will have the regularly scheduled Friday Favorites.

Here though are a few of my favorite father/daughter things/memories in no particular order:

My dad and I took a trip to Florida/Disney when I was in second grade.  I had a perpetually bad hair day the whole week, according to my dad he say Disney one outside of a women's restroom at a time, Space Mountain was "out of order" according to my afraid of heights dad (the Tower of Terror was just a plain "no"), and we followed a tour bus down a road only to be stopped by a gun-wielding security guard.  Despite all of this it was one of the best weeks of my life.  I will forever be thankful for that time.

Going to sporting events with my dad.  That's where my love of sports developed.

Ironically enough, some of my best memories were in a car driving aimlessly with my dad.  Any time he had to run an errand I would tag along.  Beings that I wasn't even a teenager I am sure many of the conversations were trivial, but I could talk to my dad about anything.

A minute before my dad died he told me he loved me.  That moment has more importance than I would have ever imagined.

These are just a few of my favorite things.  Every moment was special because it was one moment that we had together.  While they say time heals they are only half right.  As you get older it gets harder realizing all of the things that a person you loved will miss.

Hug the ones you love a little bit extra tight tonight.

Happy Friday & Have a great weekend!

Now Playing...

I like all music, but sometimes, I too fall into the trap of the top current music.  Here are my radio favorites.  All videos from Youtube















Which video is your favorite?  Any current songs you that you keep on repeat?

Just Breathe

I know what some of you must be thinking, what is a Pittsburgher blogging about if she doesn't even mention the Steelers v. Ravens season opener?  Well, I felt that there is a time and place & Sunday was not the day to post about it.  I do have to give props to the NFL and all involved in the 9/11 tribute.  I'm sure it could not have been the easiest of things to pull off, but they handled the ceremonies with the honor that 9/11 deserved.

  You would actually think with Sunday's events people in Pittsburgh would have things in perspective and realize that a game is actually just that, a game. Even more so, yesterday's game was just one game - one out of a very long season.  Sure I wanted the Steelers to win, there will never be a game where I don't, but we should not condem them for losing one game.

The way some "fans" are talking you would think the Steelers lost the Super Bowl yesterday.  Trust me - a Super Bowl loss hurts more than anything dished out yesterday.  As much as I will never ever be a fan of the Ravens that is a solid team with a great coach and some amazing players.  They played one helluva game and nobody can deny them that.  I have never seen Flacco play with more poise or strength than he did yesterday.  I think the loss yesterday is better attributed to the fact that the Ravens had a great game, not that the Steelers had what some are saying is a poor game.

Did Roethlisberger play his best game ever? No. He had an off game, but wasn't horrible.  I think part of the backlash for yesterdays game is because he played so well last year with a broken foot, got his nose broken in game & took a few other beatings, but then stumbled a bit yesterday when by accounts he was better health-wise.  Instead of criticizing him fans should be thankful that with him starting as a quarterback the Steelers had pretty much been invincible against the Ravens.  For as many times as we play the Ravens fans cannot honestly believe that Roethlisberger would have an undefeated record against them.  Hopeful yes, plausible no. He is a seasoned quarterback and will have his mojo back before we know it.

Its also bad enough when people call into radio stations to criticize the players.  Its even worse that they use social media to tell the players that they are disappointed.  It is great that in todays world that people like athletes are accessible to their fans.  Its disheartening though when the fans use social media to bash the players.  It is tacky to trash talk other teams players, but to actually badmouth the players of the team you support - thats just so unimaginable to me.  Yet, I saw it happening yesterday.  Fans are supposed to be just that, supporters of a team.

I especially find all the bad mouthing humorous because the Steelers are notorious for using negativity and adversity to spur great results.  So to all of the fans out there, just breathe, the Steelers will bounce back.  It is week 1 after all.

Go Steelers.

America

Time is one of those concepts that seem abstract and hard to grasp.  Sure we know there are 60 seconds in a minute, 24 hours in a day and 365 days in a year.  Minute after minute adds up faster than we realize when we are busy with our day to day lives.  That's why markers like a year, a decade, etc can hit us like a ton of bricks.

A decade.  10 years ago today.  We all know what happened on that fateful day and for most of us 9/11 seems like only yesterday.  Its hard to know the impact that September 11, 2001 had on all of our lives, but every American life was in some way changed.

As a child of the 80's and 90's I grew up in a world that seemed safer and had an economy that seemed stronger.  It seemed like nothing could take away those two things.  The year before 9/11 I lost a parent and with that I lost the remainder of my innocence and childhood.  Yet, I still felt safe in the world.  Attacks on America were things that could only happen in movies & even then normally only came in the form of alien invasions.  After 9/11 it took awhile before I felt safe again & I wonder if I will ever feel 100% safe.  9/11 changed how secure all of us felt.  The terrorists not only attacked America on that day, but they used our own planes to do it. Call me naive, but I always felt like there was this imaginary shield protecting the United States and on that day we all found out how wrong that notion was.  Sometimes it still seems unreal, but then there are reminders, such as a friend going off to war, longer travel security lines, etc.  My generation is a generation that knows of the outcome of evil and the terror of being attacked.  My generation also knows of the great sacrifice of heros and the true meaning of being proud to be an American.  With all of the media coverage for this anniversary came stories about those born on or after 9/11.  Its interesting to hear how some of them see it as an event in history - much like I would have viewed WWI & II - while still feeling the ramifications of those events.  

With all of the bad & all of the changes there is still good.  So many heros sacrificed on 9/11 and have every day since fighting for our freedom.  Strangers helped strangers, "everyday" people became heros & many lost their lives in order to save lives of others.  

I had the opportunity to go to my childhood church this weekend for the first time since this past Christmas.  I must say I have never heard music as beautiful as the patriotic songs that filled the pews this weekend.  At the end of mass, when most people are normally scrambling to be the first one out the door the National Anthem was sung.  Not one person left early.  Everyone was united as one, the way we should be.  

I think that is how we can truly honor the heros.  Being united and loving this country.  Hate is what cause this, but love is how we all can heal.  

For as much as I love Jay-Z I don't think I've ever heard his music sound better:

God Bless America.

Friday Favorite: (Online) Shopping Addict

I love shopping.  I love online shopping.  If I had a disposable income I would shop everyday.  Until my bank account catches up to me though I need to make my shopping as meaningful as possible.  While I do alternate between online & "real" shopping there are certain things I like to buy on or offline.  For example for clothes and shoes I love to go to "real" stores.  Part of the fun is feeling the material, mixing and matching outfits, and trying on clothes that cost more than a small country.  Other things such as make up and beauty supplies I like to shop for online.

I like to research these products before I buy them.  I also buy such a wide variety of products there isn't one store I could go into for all of the needs - sometimes a girl needs $5 lipstick and $40 bronzer (don't judge just an example).

Thats why I am dedicating my Friday Favorite to www.bloom.com.  It is a website I stumbled onto awhile back.  I will admit I almost gave up because they had some technological problems that made it a bit of a hassle, but they have since cleared all of that up.  They also have great customer service, I e-mailed them about a product I was wondering if they carried and I got a response within a 24 hour period.

What is great about this site is it is the illegitimate child of makeup and social media.  What I mean by this is I can go on there, enter some information and see what girlies just like me are using.  Yes, friends are perfect for swapping advice on products, but sometimes you need someone who is the same as you.  You could trust your best friend 100%, but if she has an oily complexion and dry hair she isn't going to be much help for you little Ms. dry skin & greasy hair (hypothetical of course - you are gorgeous!)

I also always try products & cannot remember if I tried the product.  This way I can review it and keep track myself which means no more buying products that have failed me in the past.

Plus Bloom also gives you money back on your purchase as well as free samples.  Who wouldn't like that.  I love that I get to try new products in terms of their free samples, but also can justify splurging or experimenting since I'm saving money.  I have told all of my girlfriends about this site and felt that I should also tell all of my blog-girlfriends.

So there you have it.  What's better than a Friday Favorite post about  good make up?  A Friday Favorite post about getting good make up for a great deal.

Happy Friday!

Wake Me Up When September Ends

When I was younger I always looked at September as a beginning - the beginning of school & the beginning of fall.  Somewhere along the years it started to signify the end - the end of summer and freedom.  

For the last decade or so September is always a rougher month to get through & it seems like Im not the only one.  Music is great because it can often get you out of funks.  Sometimes though you want the music you are listening to to fit your mood, so here it goes:

Green Day's Wake Me Up When September Ends courtesy of Youtube

and

Daughtry's September also from Youtube

Is there a month for you that always seems gloomy?  Any songs that you listen to to get out of a bad mood?  

I hope September started of good for all of you

Hollywood

Back in the good 'ole USA just in time for Labor day.  Unpacked for the second time in a month.  Im ready to finally settle into Pittsburgh for a bit before I travel or move somewhere else - what can I say I'm a like a little nomadic camel.  hmm, on second thought lets describe myself as a gypse, one of those gorgeous gypse women who wear flowing purple outfits and lots & lots of jewelry.  Ok, I like that a lot better.

Anyways I wanted to alert all of the Pittsburghers following this to an event.  Children's Hospital is having a benefit event.  As I'm sure you've come to realize from my posts I love children & I support all non-profits so I had to give this a shout out.  The event is A Hollywood Benefit and is featuring Pittsburgh native & hunky (flashback to 90's lingo) Joe Manganiello.  You might know him from True Blood  or One Tree Hill among others.

Donate to Children's Hospital

So you can spend the afternoon cheering on the Steelers vs. the Ravens & then go to this event to celebrate the Steelers win while doing some good.

It is going be held at Mixx at Station Square at 8pm this Sunday, September 11.  For more information on tickets you can go to the events page.  Hoping I can go & I that some of you are able to go as well.

Have a good short week :)