Big Momma Tess’s Mindless Drivel

It seems like we don’t have any sort of privacy these days. Everywhere you look, you can be tracked. I just got a new phone with GPS, and while I was excited about the usefulness of this new gadget, it also creeped me out a little. My GPS device knows where I’m at all the time.
Now they offer GPS Tracking technology as a way for parents to keep tabs on their kids. Whatever happened to raising your kid right in the first place, and having them face the consequences if they misbehave? Parents can locate their kid’s vehicle online, and get emails when their child speeds or the car is found in an “unapproved location.” What the hell? As if teens weren’t paranoid enough, now they actually have something that tracks their every move? Where does that establish trust with your child? I think if my parents had ever done a thing like that to me I would be even more likely to sneak around or disobey them.
My parents raised me to talk to them, and I did. I was in no way perfect, but when I made mistakes, I fessed up because I trusted my parents, and they trusted me. If I broke the rules, I felt like I let them down. I never had a lock on my door, and my mom didn’t snoop through my things. I know this world is a dangerous place, but I think tracking people and taking away trust is even worse.

I’m no stranger to blog sites, having three blogs already. I stubbled across the website Thoughts.com, a new blogging site that is a little different than the others. It has Forums, something I haven’t seen on any other blogging site. It also has surveys, contests, and they promote random posts, helping to get the word out about your blog. The site also allows bloggers to upload photos, videos, podcasts, and bookmark the latest news articles. You can also decide if you want your post to be public or private. That’s kind of nice because you can make it an online journal and an outlet to the world. I love having my own domain, but there are things about a community blog like here on vox, that you don’t get from having your own domain, like friends and the ability to search through other blogs. There is also unlimited free bandwidth, and best of all it is free! I might sign up and check it out. I’m really curious about the forum. People post thought provoking questions that give you great ideas for things to blog about. Plus it’s interesting to get the perspective of other people about the random things we think about. One that caught my attention was titled “Is that a taboo?” It is the general rules we have for ourselves, a thin line we would never want ourselves to cross. I’m going to sign up so I can answer that one myself. Hmm, what is my taboo? 

Lately I've been having some trouble with my best friend. See, I'm in the honeymoon phrase of my relationship, while she is in a relationship that she seems to be pretty unhappy in. She never talks about her boyfriend except to complain about what a jerk he's been. Or if she does say something nice about him, it's always followed by, a "for once". Or, "I hope it lasts this time" kind of comment. I feel bad for her, but she's already broken up with this guy countless times only to let the worm crawl his way back into her life. She even admitting to me once that she didn't picture herself marrying him. At almost 27, what is she wasting her time for? Not to say that 27 is by any means old, but at that point, shouldn't we be beyond the whole casual dating scene? I'm in it for something serious, I'm not looking for just a playmate. If I was, I certainly wouldn't date someone I fought with all the time like she does with her man.
So our problem is that she has been really demanding of my time, and she always wants to hang out just the two of us. She is always asking to do stuff one on one instead of with our boyfriends. Personally I am excited that we're both dating at once. Why would I want to go out to a bar, get all dressed up and sit on uncomfortable Bar Stools while creepy guys hit on us when I can be with my man? I much prefer the idea of a double date over going out and getting drunk together. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for a girl's night, but every time we hang out? I love spending time with Dyl Pickle and having a bitch session where my friend complains about her crappy boyfriend all night does not sound like a good time to me. Am I wrong for feeling this way? Is it bad that I have no desire to hang out with anyone except other couples as happy as we are? I can't help but think that EB is just jealous of my happiness and wants it too. I can understand that, but still, can't we meet for coffee? Why do we need to go out? 

Share a song that makes you laugh.

I make everyone I meet listen to this song. It makes me laugh and it makes me want to eat toast. YEAHHHHHH TOAST! It's from a radio show, and these kids made a cute lil parody of it on youtube. I love it!

Yeah Toast Song

I went shopping last night-something I absolutely loathe. I think I'm missing the female gene where shopping is exciting and something I can do for hours. Give me about an hour and a half MAX because I'm so done after that. My boyfriend Dill Pickle (gotta love the nickname) and I went shopping and for once it was kind of fun. We goofed around in Brookstone, where I rode this crazy workout contraption called the horse. Yes it did look dirty, but I will say it was a great core workout. ;-)

After Brookstone we headed over to Macy's where I drooled over their Wine Racks, dishware, and bed linens. I think the only shopping I really do enjoy is anything that has to do with the home. I can't wait to buy my first home and start fixing it up. I seriously daydream about it all the time. Pickle likes home shopping too which is makes it even more fun.

So after Macy's I dragged Dill to the game shop where I bought a two person fighting game. We went home and played and talked smack to each other and giggled. We kung fooed each other and then went to bed and snuggled. I can't even tell you how fun it is to be with someone who I can play with and be romantic with at the same time. It was so much fun I'm actually looking forward to the next time we shop. Imagine that!

What does blogging do for you?
Submitted by Madeleine Rose.

Blogging is my writer's outlet. I have a few blogs out there, and it's so fun to be able to write and practice what my English teacher called my "writer's voice". I think in another life I would have loved to pursue writing as a career. As it is, it's a great hobby. It also supplements my income a little bit, and gives me some spending moolah.

Yesterday I did a little fun daydreaming. I browsed through local home listings on craigslist and drooled over all the homes for sale. I so want to buy a house I can almost picture what my living room will look like. My dream house would be a place with hardwood floors, lots of light, Bathroom Suites, dark wood furniture with color accents everywhere, a big kitchen with a kitchen island, marble countertops, and a big backyard, complete with a pool and hot tub. Dream on sister right? I will take just the hardwood floors for now. I know my first home is going to be a dinky lil fixer upper but I can dream right? If the first place I get doesn’t have hardwood floors already, maybe I can do it myself. Instead of parties I’ll invite friends over for painting parties, or bribe them with beer in exchange for working on the house. Hey, it could happen! I could also try to get on one of those TLC shows where a designer comes out and fixes up your place for like two hundred bucks. Just so long as they don’t make it weird and artsy. Wicker everything would make me cringe. Ew. 

What would make you question a friendship?
Submitted by stueykins.

Dishonesty hands down. If I can't trust my friends there is no way we're going to have a meaningful friendship. Trust is key to any good relationship, be it friends or a romantic relationship. In the end, it all comes down to trust. 

My mission to pay off my bills has been harder than I thought. I'm always looking for ways to make an extra bit of cash. I came across Clickbooth Affiliate Network which is set apart from other affiliate networks. For one thing, they have a more extensive interview process for publishers, which means a better quality network. They also work with fortune 500 companies, so you have the opportunity to blog about high quality companies. They also have the highest payouts in the industry, which is music to my ears. They also offer assistance to their publishers so we as bloggers can make the most from our sites. Its nice to know I have the help of professionals in the business to help me on my quest for financial help. They're also available 24/7 for those late night blog sessions we love so much.  Implimenting is quick and easy so publishers can start making money right away. I'm pretty impatient, so instant gratification is great! Hopefully with Clickbook's help I can get all my bills paid off soon, and I can start saving up to buy my first house. I can practically see it now. Ok, and now I'm drooling. Lovely. 

What's your favorite time of day and why?

Mornings are definitely my favorite. I love rolling over and giving my boyfriend a kiss and going in the for the snuggle. I also love weekend mornings when I can make breakfast and sit with a cup of tea and a good book. Those are the best! Man, now I wish it was Saturday...