OOO MY GAWD!

I'm so going to Vegas as soon as possible. Can you guess why.

The other night I was watching Oprah and guess who the F was on...

BETTE MIDLER. The one and only Divine Ms. M.

I love her. No, I freaking love love love her.

I seriously had to shut everything down. Phone off. Dishwasher pause cycle. Cowboy off. Volume turned up. WAY LOUD. (sorry neighbors)

Next month she is starting her very own Vegas show at Caesars. HOLLA. I am so there. You have no idea. I'm a freak on a leash waving a big pink freak flag when it comes to that woman.

I know all her shows by heart. I was a very odd child growing up. Nevertheless - I also have all those shows either on DVD or CD. Uhmm Hmm. Freak on a leash.

I think she is the cutest and the funniest woman. Ever.

I figure I'll be hightailing it to Vegas sometime in the summer while Cowboy is away fighting that war in Iraq. Anyone want to come with? Anyone? Anyone?

Yeah, I think I'll be alone or I'll drag my mother out there. She is just dying for an excuse to get back to Vegas and she'll see Bette with me because she was with me the first time I saw her live. Kid in a candy store, I was. Holy moly. I'm so excited.

And in other exciting concert-like news: Michael Buble. Dallas. March 2.

HOLLA!

Breakfast is the New Breakfast

Cowboy isn't too keen on breakfast. I looooooooooooove breakfast foods. And I adore a damn good brunch. The food. The conversations. The friends. I can do brunch everyday if I didn't need to work.

On days that I go into the office late, Cowboy and I have some extra time for each other. He's just getting home and I'm about to leave for the day. (Ooh I sound like we live together already...ha ha ha) I always feel like its such a rush of catch up between us and I was determined to change that. And his breakfast opinion.

As of late, it seems that all my fave foodie blogs have been raving on and on about Bon Appetit's February cover issue. I have to say it looks damn good. Over at We Are Not Martha - they made it and I drooled over it, too. Her eggs looked delish as well.

So that was that. I was making them. And since you cannot just make pancakes for one. Cowboy was going to get em too and love em, even if I had to force feed them into his mouth.

We were going to sit and enjoy breakfast and each other.

And we did.

There is nothing like warm blueberry maple syrup over a hot waffle. Oh, yeah I made mine into waffles. I haven't used my waffle press in forever and this seemed to be just the thing to blow the dust off it.

And the outcome? I loved it. Cowboy loved it. I love him. He loves me. We loved our breakfast time.

But, Why?

When I was little I asked why for just about everything around me. Why's the sky blue? Why can't I have every Barbie on the store's shelf? Why do I have to go to bed? Why can't I be around the adult conversation?

I was always why-ing allover the place. I don't know how my parents survived.

I'm still asking why to this day.

Not so much about the everyday stuff because now I'm educated and know why the sky appears blue, why I was never a toy brat, why I need sleep and that I never would be interested in the adult conversations. Even to this day.

My whys nowadays usually have to deal with rejection.

Recently, a friend of mine was dumped. Her only problem with it was even though the ex-boyfriend gave a reason, it wasn't satifactory to her why. I can totally understand. During rejection you want to know what is wrong with you? Why you are no longer lovable? Why it couldn't work.

Why? Why? Why?

I've wondered why almost every other day. With every unanswered job application and sent resume - there is a why. Is my resume written poorly? Did my qualifications not really match the exact ones listed? Did I respond too late for consideration? Or eek, too soon? Or maybe the hiring manager is too scared to pronounce my name and that deters them from calling?

It's even the worst kind of why once I've been through several interviews. Obviously, they thought you were qualified enough to get a foot in the door. Maybe I came off too smiley, too nice, too cool. Or maybe I was too fun and outgoing?

I can't help but think once I met them that what's getting rejected is me. Personally. Oh, snap! Is something wrong with me?

After three interviews with the same company and still a rejection, don't you think it's fair to ask why?

Delivery for Ms. Golightly

I'm like a stalker. When it comes to tracking packages, that is. I cannot send anything out or receive anything without tracking the stamps off of it. Sounds weird, no?

If I send anyone a package, I make it a point to ask for the tracking number. It's essential. I must know when that person receives the package. One, some people never acknowledge that they received a package in the mail from yours truly. NEVER. I don't get that. If I receive something from anyone unexpectedly, I make sure and thank them for it. A gift i s a gift. Mail or not. And who doesn't like to receive a big box in their mailbox? I don't know anyone that doesn't and still some people will never acknowledge it to me. So for my own piece of mind that it arrived, I track it. Second, I'm that managerial/paranoid/curious.

And vice versa is even better. When I order something online, the best part is not opening once it arrives, it's tracking its whereabouts across the country. Oh, it's so much fun. I am so easily entertained by UPS.com, Fedex.com and/or USPS.com. Seriously.

It goes a little something like this. As soon as I receive the email confirmation of the order, it's pure glee. Then there is the shipping confirmation which includes my wonderlust tracking number. I immediately go to the shipper's site and enter it. Automatically, you can see where the distro center is located. If you're like me, you can calculate how many days it will take for your package to arrive. And here's my advice more times than not, you can choose the free shipping and your stuff will arrive sooner than predicted. Mail is not that slow. It's never taken any shipment 7 - 10 business days to see me.

From this moment out, it's maniacal for me.

I'm constantly hitting up the shipper's website.
And then the big day arrives. Package received in Dallas, TX/ Scanned out for delivery. Forget it. I never close the browser. Refresh. Refresh. Refresh. When will it arrive at my doorstep or apartment office? It's an all day affair and guessing game (against myself).

And then finally - WHEE. ITEM DELIVERED.

I cannot tell you the glee and joy that brings me. My little ole package survived its trip from Hoboken to Philadelphia to me. Me! Something I own has seen three states, been man-handled across loading docks and is nestled at my doorstep (or inside on my floor. Yep, my apartment folks do that. Thank goodness). It's only waiting for me to get it out of the packaging...

Must. Get. Home. ASAP.

Rich Bride, Poor Bride?!?

I just don't get it. Really. Maybe someone needs to sit me down and explain it to me like I'm a two year old.

At first I thought the concept was simple: wedding planner gets budget but I thought the couples didn't know what the budget figure was until the end of the show. Well, almost but not quite. And may I add that my interpretation probably would make for a great show. If you ask me. But it wasn't the case.

The more I watched, the more I realized that the groom seems to know exactly what the budget is - so then I thought it was a secret from the bride. Holla. Way to go. This is fantastic. Not so much.

It seems that the only person who doesn't know what the budget is, is me (or the viewer). I don't see the fun in that. Well until I really thought about it. The only fun in that aspect is you can totally see where a $100,000 wedding spends the cash and/or where a $5,000 scrimps on the cash. In my opinion, all the weddings I've seen on the show shock me. The ones that are $35,000 and close to it appear to me to look like they spent $5,000 and vice versa. Maybe its because the frugal bride knows how to be more savvy with her costs and planning. Or maybe its because the frugal bride is a lot more tolerable, nice and down to earth. Yep. I said it.

This weekend I found out why I love this show. The unbelievable brides. And believe me, most of them are bratty. I am a firm believer that if I cannot afford to do a $10,000 wedding - there is no way in this world that I'm going to book a $8,000 caterer or insist that I take out another loan just so I can have live peacocks at my reception. Get my drift?

So let me take you to Sunday night (before my beloved Giants won)*
Bride #1: I missed the beginning of this episode, so I didn't know what their vision was. All I know is that everyone kept calling her the Princess and the Princess wanted as much pink as possible in her wedding. The Princess also is on a tight budget. And she keeps secrets from her fiancé about how much stuff is costing. Way to start a marriage, right? Princess told her fiancé that she was going to a $99 bridal dress sale and that was that. What she didn't share was the fact that she bought a $1100 dress at that sale. And then she takes her dogs to the most expensive Petco like store ever and proceeds to buy her dogs - $600 worth of wedding attire for her dogs. I had to side with the groom on this - when he went ballistic.

Then Princess started to grow a conscious and tried to be very frugal by getting her centerpieces at the dollar store. I'm not against the dollar store, but honey bought some crap. You can imagine the comments coming from Cowboy - he was just as entertaining as the show itself. And then, if you think Princess could do no more, she did. Girlfriend ordered an ATM to be placed at their reception hall. Not for a cash bar. Not for tipping a valet. But for (wait for it) their cash donating instead gifts friends. It was for use if someone didn't have enough cash to place into the cash gifts donations box. Oh. No! Thank the lord for the catering manager who came out there faster than lightening and was all hell to the no about it and insisted that it was moved. Pronto. So that was Princess.

Just when I thought Cowboy had enough and was ready to strangle me for making him watch the thing - Bratty McBratty Bride came on and she made the entire thing worth it.

Bratty McBratty Bride was having an interfaith wedding. Her husband to be was Indian or Pakistan, I'm not sure, and she is white. Somehow I missed the beginning of this as well, I was in the kitchen making Rachael Ray's BBQ cups for our game watching pleasure. Cowboy was laughing a storm up, so I knew the pre-vision just had to be good. I'm going to give this girl props because the dual weddings they had to do due to the interfaith of it all was cute. And they had the cutest wedding planning professional duo helping out. They were fun at keeping everything real. So what entertained me the most was Bratty McBratty Bride was on a diet. Poor girl went to her catering tasting and couldn't eat a thing. But she sure did have a strong opinion on how the food should be plated. I felt bad for the chef.

Oh well, moving on to their ring shopping trip and when the bratty guns really came out. Bratty McBratty Bride just had to have her 'nice, big diamond' and we are not talking cheap either. She fussed allover the store for it and on the recap. Cowboy wanted to kick her Bratty McBratty butt. And I think so did her groom. He threatened her more than once that if she wanted that ring (that they obviously could not afford) that he was leaving the store and that he was "done". Poor guy. And this is also where I have to say, you already have the rock for your engagement ring - why was she pushing so hard for another? Especially when you are on a tight budget?

There you have it, 'Rich Bride, Poor Bride' - I still don't get the concept but its entertaining. A lot more so than Bridzillas.




*OK, now its safe for me to admit that I've been secretly rooting for the Giants the entire time. Yep - even when they were up against Dallas. I'm sorry but my excuse is I'm not from here and I've never really cared for the Cowboys. I was born in Brooklyn, darnit! And remember last year when I so thought it was the Giants year and it wasn't? Hmm. All I have to say is I should have put money down on last nights game. Damn! I know they don't have a chance against New England, but I have hope. We had to have our own game watching party at my place because one of his room mates (the nice one) is from Wisconsin and Cowboy didn't want to chance any other roomie drama for me. Ha ha ha.

Cowboy is like a Michael Buble Song

I just love him. Lots of people ask me or question the emotions in our relationship. I'll admit, he is not the type of guy my friends picture me with. But that's just the surface. Beneath, he is the perfect guy for me. I can't explain why, when they ask, so that they'll understand - but I can tell you it feels like a song. (I like to start this week out with a cliche and metaphor)

Friday night was a doozie for me. We were out celebrating CR1's birthday. If you recall, he's the room mate that doesn't 'do' Christmas. His girlfriend made him do his birthday. Towards the end of the night, my feelings were hurt by CR1. And it wasn't minor but Cowboy was way too drunk to even know what happened. So I left the bar and went home. The next day Cowboy and I got into what happened. And it started an emotional conversation from him to me.

Never before have I been in this. Never before had I known someone to care for me the way he does. Never before.

He told me how it hurts him so much to see my feelings hurt. His first reaction is to kick CR1 in the head. I thought that was a little extreme. He went on to say, that his instinct is to protect me, no matter what. And from there, he got deeper, more emotional. He shared with me, that he wasn't sure what I was thinking but that he wants to see us together (in the long haul); he wants me to know that I can trust him with anything and that he loves me.

All that said and done. Yes, lately, I've pulled away. Can you blame me? I've been freaking out over so many things lately (car, job, future money)and then there is his stuff to stress over as well. Like he officially received his deployment orders. AACK! He really really would like to move to Phoenix. HOLEY MOLEY!

Yeah, I knew all along that he was going to Iraq. I think in the back of my mind it wasn't really a reality until this past week when it became official ship out date. For me to really stress out about it is driving me nuts. And yes, he is only leaving for 4 months. But the military is known to extend those things. And I think 4 days without him is horrible.

And then there is Phoenix. He's been offered several times, the exact same job with his same company in their Phoenix offices. For $15k more in pay. Great deal for him because all his brothers, uncles/aunts, living grandparents and cousins live in Phoenix. He'd like nothing more but to be close to family. And then there is me. I'd love nothing more than to have my mother live close to her (future) grandkids. Buut if I wanted to live in Phoenix that badly, I'd already be there. The thing of it is, timing. If he does this before he goes to Iraq - it'd be more ideal for me. I'd just find some job that I can leave with no problem in a few short months. You know, somewhere like The Gap. If he waits until he comes back from Iraq. I may be working somewhere that I completely love, love, love. And I am not the type to give that up without a serious commitment. A very serious commitment...which brings me to the marriage conversation we had last night.

During my usual Sunday WE Wedding Marathon afternoon - we are so going to discuss "Rich Bride, Poor Bride" very soon. I live to love to hate that show. Cowboy was very into this one wedding planning that was happening. It was the usual, bride having a temper tantrum over some silly expensive element to her wedding. And he got to asking...lots o questions. Even when it was over - still, the questions. It didn't hit me until he was gone for the night, exactly what those questions meant.

So, never before have I been at this place where my boyfriend speaks openly about a future together (and means it). Never before have I been a huge factor in life decisions. Never before have I been the priority no questions asked. It's really nice. It makes me smile. Like a Michael Buble song.

Still Waiting

To make any negotiations. Many thanks to all the helpful advice and Beth's - too bad the hiring manager is a woman. Ha ha.

In other news, got a new to me car. I think you'll think I'm crazy but I went and bought the exact car I had, just a newer version/year of the model. And it drives like a dream.

You'll think it even crazier when I say, all the normal amenities in the car are like a huge upgrade to me.

CD player. Whoo hoo! Yes, my other car didn't have one. I was old school with a cassette deck and a radio.

Key-less entry. Best day! I can now unlock my door and yours without putting the key into the car - HOLLA!

Daytime running lights. I have to admit its taken me awhile to get used to them. I was so paranoid leaving my parked car with the lights still on. Seriously the first night, I stared at it until the lights finally went off.

Lumbar support seats. Well, its really just extra ;)

That's that. One stress down, another to go...if I could just get a job, it'd be perfect.

To Negotiate or Not

You know how I've been looking for a job because my current beloved one is o-v-e-r?

Guess what?

I found my exact job and all I love about it and more at Company X. It's scary how the job responsibilities are very similar.

And the more part? I'd work from 10am to 4pm or 6pm (depending on the day) a.k.a Missing All the Traffic - because as it would be, Company X is 23 miles from my apartment. There are more perks, which I'd love to share but if I did you'd know the company. And I cannot let the cat out of the bag, just yet.

But let me tell you: I'll be planning events: private and public! I'll be working with media: alternative and society! I'll be doing visual merchandising, some marketing and lots o' promotions! Then there are meetings with VIPs! And my boss' office is in New York. And my counterpart who is here in Dallas but at a different location...LOVE HER to pieces. She's so cool, hip and laid back like Austin.

It's a dream job minus the pay.

The pay, that they told me on the 1st interview (I've been to three) is $6,000 less what I make now. And let me tell you the jewelry company I am with is not paying me the big bucks but I loved my job and can live my life on my salary. $6k less? I don't think I'll have the fun I'm used to having (especially with a car payment on the horizon).

Only once in my life did I ask for more money and they turned me down right away.

I'm a wee bit nervous for the job offer - which I feel is coming today because they spoke to all my references yesterday. One reference told me how my could be NYC boss was just so impressed with me and my qualifications.

I should have no problem asking for more in salary, right?

My problem is, if they say no, there is no way I can afford to take it. Before engine blew - maybe. After - definitely not. That aside, I think my resume backs up an increase in pay. But that could be just me thinking crazy.

So my question today is, if anyone has any great negotiating points/tips, please let me know.

Car Still Dead, but Computer Comes Back From Dead

You didn't know this but my personal laptop has been in a coma for the past three weeks. I'm blaming myspace. Myspace was the last website I was on when my laptop decided to go all Sybil on me.

First it gave me some foreign pop-up warning to download some anti-virus software. I clicked no and it still came popping up at random times. Finally, after being very annoyed, I just clicked the damn thing off. The next day, I booted up and some odd looking blue screen told me that there was some unknown software and Windows couldn't open properly unless I removed it. Not being, IT advanced, I played around with the contral-ALT-delete button several times. Nothing. I gave up and gave it to my IT knowledgable boyfriend.

Apparently it was a problem he couldn't even diagnose, nor fix. I've been using my work computer for all my usage. You may have noticed that I haven't been on the blog route in a very long time, I wasn't ignoring your lives, just being cautious of my work network 'eyes'.

Yesterday's drama put me in a mood. I knew I'd be imprisoned without a car all weekend and relying on others for your errand transportation would be no fun and I wasn't up for the task.

I really am just hoping that someone else solves this problem for me and I never have to be involved. You know, as if I am 13 years old and not 30.

Television and/or DVDs as my only entertainment would bore me in several hours. I put my IT hat on and was determined to fix this damn problem.

GUESS WHAT?

Something I did worked! or is working temporarily (?!?) because I'm typing on my laptop at home. On the internet. Yah!

Now, I can car shop, job hunt and blog from the comfort of my apartment.

One problema down, a million others to go.

Moment of Silence

Why does the bad news always come when you are already stressing over something else? I'm stressing like a basket case over the job situation. I've got one good almost offer on the table but it's not for the pay that I think I am worth. I have had other interviews but nothing else is comparing to the previous low paying job duties. It's basically the exact same job I have now, but with a more fun company. Fun = low pay, apparently. And not to sound like a spoiled worker but there is no way I can go back to getting paid what I did 5 years ago and 2 jobs back. Right? But how many people can say they really loved the people, the offices and the job?

Stressing....

And in the middle of stressing out and planning a negotiation tactic, my car decided to go to Heaven. I've never had one problem, mechanically with this vehicle. The only trouble shooting I've had were flat tires. Oh and those new brakes. But nothing engine/under the hood related. I've had this car forever. It was/is my dream car. And its not that often or ever you see a manual transmission in a SUV. I heart manual drive. And I heart SUV. I hearted my car - how many people can say that about what they've been driving and is 10 years old? So, I was driving and as soon as I got to Texas Stadium (maybe its an omen for Sunday's game? I'm just saying) my check gauge light came on and the temp reading went from Cool to Red Hot; then there was no more acceleration when I pushed on the gas pedal. Hello! Trauma on the highway! I had it towed to the mechanic and yes the ill waited call came in: car engine dead, gasket blown. I have 2 choices: replace the engine altogether or get a new vehicle.

Perfect timing Car Gods. I'm about to be out of a job in three weeks; looking to downsize my salary for the love a possible job and am in the midst of interviewing for other opportunities.

Happy Friday to me!

So as I am a brat or I was my car's brat, when I called a dealership, I explained the scenario and she was so sympathetic - it was nice (because wait till I tell what I have to deal with in the sympathy department). Then she asked what I'm looking for and I said: Explorer, 2 doors, stick shift and made before 2002 (when the new body style came out). Ha. No luck here. And us people in need cannot be picky.

And on to the sympathy vote...I love Cowboy, I do. Y'all know I do. I heart him so much. Buuuut when I call you crying about a car and breaking down in the middle of the busiest highway ever, you better wake yo ass up! And better yet, you better call me once you are awake (still no call). I know, he works at night, sleeps during the day and some people just cannot function when they are freshly woken up. But its been six and a half hours and still no word. And I know he is awake now because he is driving down to Houston for his Drill weekend with a Reserves buddy. So can you blame me when I have to reach out to (Not So) Incredible?

And to justify that - he works for a rental car company and has tons of coworkers/employees that are in the car/mechanic world. Already he has found a mechanic doing a used engine search for my car. One point for the Ex.

And to make me feel bad about that choice - my mother. Whereas I was delaying calling her for two reasons. 1. She knew she'd have to pitch in on this bankroll because my savings account is just enough for a month's rent, not a new engine or a car down payment. 2. I would hear the longest ever lecture on why my savings account has so little in it.
Not so much - her lecture to me was about one thing only: Why the Hell did I call (Not So) Incredible? And my reasons were not good enough. Her solution to this problem is to get my ass to the car dealership and get a new car. And call her if or when I need the down payment.

Well at least now I know what I'm doing this weekend. Engine hunting and/or car buying. Both, oh so fun!

Daily Needs (Wants)

These are my most frequented & favorite beauty body products that I could say I'd die without, but that's a little extreme. Even though, I may pass out. Overdramatic? Nah.

Qtips and Cotton Balls. I use them to clean my ears, clean eye makeup, apply makeup and fix any makeup mistakes. I've had these cute jars they are in forever, I think I got them from Target.

Pier 1 Imports Fragrance Sticks. I'm quite aware that is not the proper name for these things but I'm experiencing a brain fart (probably because my car died on me this morning and the pending tow truck & mechanic shop bill is on my mind...oh and the thought of how I'm getting home today) Back to the sticks, I don't even know what fragrance they are. Here's a little secret, I only buy these when they are on "broken/damaged clearance" at Pier 1. Maybe it's just my local store but there is always a bunch on clearance. Its usually because one bottle broke in the shipment and the oil gets allover the other bottles, then voila, markdown. I have 2 more underneath my sink for when this runs dry. Here's another trick - if you flip the sticks, so the submerged tips are now in the air/out of the bottle and vice versa; the scent is stronger for the room.

Jubilee Pomegranate Body Lotion - this came in a gift set that someone gave me for my birthday. It doesn't smell but it's a very thick lotion; so I use it on my feet and face at night.

Bath & Body Works Vanilla Bean Noel - I guess this is some holiday version of vanilla bean. It smells like cotton candy, which is so yummy especially on the clothes I've worn it with and they are now tossed into the hamper - my hamper smells like cotton candy. And I think that's pretty good for a bunch of dirty clothes.

Vaseline Cocoa Butter Lotion - I'll admit I have this because some magazine said it was really great. And it is. The smell is so nostalgic - if you have memories of cocoa butter growing up. I know I do - my mom used to use that stuff on anything and everything. If we were cut or bruised - bust out the cocoa butter!

A cup full of brushes and makeup: Those two brushes I cannot live without. Bought them ages ago, I seriously think I was in college, on the cheap and they are still kicking. Some would say I need to toss them but I wash them with Antibacterial soap and super hot water, so I think that's okay, right? I'm not sure if you can see this, but I have DiorShow Mascara. Best. Ever. Again, some magazine said do and I did. It's worth the $20 splurge. At least my eyelashes think so.

Tom Ford Black Orchid - Before this scent met my nose, I was not a big perfume person. I think I get enough scent from Bath & Body Works products. But oh my goodness. One day I was walking through a mall in San Antonio with a friend and one of those perfume ladies gave us the scented cardboard card when they were launching this scent, I threw into my purse. That's what I do with all those cardboard scented cards. Each and every time I opened up my purse, my nose was so happy, it really got to me. I just had to have it. Again, so worth the splurge. I won't even tell you the cost, just think: Tom Ford - when it was brand new on the market. I've had it over a year, so I think I've got my money's worth already.

Contacts. 'Nuff said.

Bath & Body Works Gardenia Body Butter - scored this at 75% off during the biggest sale ever last Spring. It smells so girly, I love it.

YSL Highlighting Pen - If you have tired eyes. If you have dark circles underneath your eyes. If you have puffy eyes. If you like a glow on your cheeks. If you need or like the highlighted look somewhere on your face. GET THIS PEN.
I heart, heart, heart it. It's out of my makeup bag as a reminder that I need to go get some more. It's a great concealer, highlighter and camouflager all in one.

CO Bigelow Grapefruit Body Lotion - can you tell I'm addicted to Bath & Body Works lotions and creams? They're all different scents so that's my excuse.

Neutragena Lipgloss - this needs to go. The color is great but the texture not so much. I usually mix it with some clear gloss when I use it. Since I paid somewhere near $7 for it, I'm using it until the end.

Driving Sans Phone

I made only one resolution this year: Not to talk on my cell phone while driving. Period.

I'm taking it back to 1997 (the last year I can remember sans cell phone) when I just had to rely on the radio for car entertainment. And if I was lost, I had to suck it up and search for the address or give up and go home.

Yes - there are execeptions. One, being the above scenario and two, emergencies. Which, isn't that one of the main purposes of cell phones in the first place?

I'm happy to report, so far so good. Four days and I'm doing good. Four days doesn't sound like a lot, but when you are me, it is.

I seriously picked up and dialed people before starting my car. Mostly each and every time I got into my car. I couldn't survive bumper to bumper commuter traffic (which can last up to an hour on my commute) without speaking to someone. A conversation makes an hour go by very quickly.

My mom's response was for me to get a bluetooth headset. Call me crazy or technologically ignorant but I cannot stand bluetooths. I don't like the way people are just running around looking like they are speaking to themselves and I, of course, turn thinking the conversation may be directed to me. And I think people talk much louder on their bluethooths than anything else. Its as if they don't think the earpiece is picking up their voice, so they must speak that much louder for the sound to carry over.

Call me old fashioned.