Jimmy Beam is My Love

Sharing is caring - I believe this is a common phrase used to teach children. As a child, I believed it to be true. Now, as an adult, I am not as certain. Mine, mine, mine. There is a satisfaction that comes with ownership that is discovered as a child, and it is never completely distinguished in the adult.

Years ago I was introduced to a new breed of sunflower seeds, Jim Beam. I believe Shoe Hunter is responsible for this bliss. These seeds are unlike any other. Soaked in real Jim Beam Kentucky Bourbon, these seeds are larger and more crisp than any other variety I have tried. The taste enhances once the shell is cracked. David and Spitz are the Wizards and Clippers of seeds. Jim Beam is the Lakers or Celtics.

On to my moral, I offer some of these seeds to nearly anyone within reach while I am snacking. This is my first mistake. Red Potato Girl, along with a few other friends, has developed an affinity for the seeds. When they reach for the bag now, I often think to myself, "Get your own bag. These are mine."

It might be safe to say that an individual owns personal pleasure. I have concluded that some pleasures should remain private ... although, I am quite happy to share Jim Beam Sunflower Seeds.

Buy a pack online or check your local Maverick Gas Station.

Life in the Fast Lane

Dating and job hunting are synonymous. There is little difference between Facebook and Careerbuilder. I have spent hours searching on both and found little to nothing useful. Occasionally, a search query returns a single, attractive blonde with common friends or a local $50K entry level position. In the past, I reacted as most would, I added the blonde bombshell and applied for the entry level position. I know better now. Those queries were microwave searches. I was looking to get something hot fast. My perspective has changed almost completely.

There is no rush, no finish line in life. It's not a race. My world will not end in nuclear discharge. Yet, there is contradiction, it is human nature to want and to want right now. So, I suggest an equilibrium. I want a microwave that cools as quickly as it heats.

Fortunately, my search has been narrowed to only occupation ... but then again, what's the difference?

A Sample of Nielsen

It is likely that I will soon begin a new job. The Nielsen Company has denied my request to work part-time while staying in Idaho. My feelings are not hurt. Nielsen, after all, provides a product and service that I do not entirely support. I was frequently asked to supply, format, and analyze media-related data. Often times the data was corrupt. Many times I was asked to compare dissimilar data in order to create a "better picture" for clients. Nielsen TV ratings are gleaned from 20,000 devices which are installed in 20,000 of the 114 million plus American homes. Sample science, it is called. Sample science, to me, means showing up early to Costco or Sam's Club Saturday mornings.

My current life circumstance provokes reflection. I am a single, unemployed college graduate. Society, especially Mormondom, will have a person believe that this is extremely undesirable. I disagree. I am desirable. I am a Costco sample. Eat me.

The Cold War

I write best when I'm comfortably warm. Sixty-eight degrees is the maximum temperature within my parent's home, but this alone does not affect my writing. Yet, it is true that often times I can see my breath.

Man's body temperature fluctuates around 98.6 degrees. The spirit, I have discovered, is void of temperature. The soul, on the other hand, is a peculiar thing. Its temperature is based upon gravity, but not like gravity as man recognizes it most. The soul heats or cools based on the gravity of life circumstances. Its temperature, however, can be manipulated with practice. The temperature of my soul is usually around 72 degrees. It's quite odd, though, my soul temperature has recently aligned with the room temperature of my parent's house, 68.

My soul has cooled. I will warm it slowly. A quick heating back to 72 could be traumatic.