7 reasons why I think my wife is having a vampire!

vampire baby

Vampire Baby a go go! 

As our pregnancy progresses, each passing day leaves me more convinced that my wife is having a vampire baby. My suspicions have been confirmed after days of days…err..hours…ummm….minutes…ok after Googling “vampire symptoms” and clicking on the first site which was here!

My wife is experiencing many of the symptoms:

  • Heightened senses (especially smell)
  • Often feels hungry and/or thirsty despite an adequate food diet
  • Extreme cravings for certain types of food or extreme cravings that can not be satisfied with food. She typically ends up vomitting or close to it. I am guessing because she is not feasting on blood that our baby vampire is craving.
  • Often feel run down, fatigued, tired despite an adequate food diet and activity level
  • Frequent headaches for no apparent reason especially after hitting the 10 week mark.
  • Often get sick with “flu-like” symptoms with no medical explanation when they go without feeding for a period of time especially nausea in the morning, fatigue and various aches
  • She also avoids eating or smelling garlic, claiming doesn’t​ like the smell or taste of it anymore

Mental characteristics:

  • Moodiness/mood swings/quick-tempered

 

This has to explain my wife’s symptoms. This makes me wonder now…Am I a vampire too? Is my wife? Did she get bit and now we are having a baby Blade?

But then again, my wife does say she feels like she has an alien growing inside her…

What do you think???

An attitude of Gratitude

Each Novemember people try their hardest to be the most thankful person that they can convince others on social media to think they are. So here is my answer to the ever so popular Days of Gratitude you see people post on Facebook.
Day #1—I’m Thankful for my the inventor of pepperoni pizza
Day #2—I’m thankful that I’m so cool
Day#3—-I’m Thankful to have extra napkins in my car for spills and sneezes
Day#4—-I’m Thankful for debit/credit cards—because they make me feel like I’m not REALLY spending my hard earned money
Day#5—-I’m Thankful for Wendy’s getting rid of “Biggie Size” and now just ask small, medium, or large
Day#6—I’m Thankful for the Facebook and Pandora that get me through time spent in the office
Day#7—I’m Thankful for people that don’t pay attention and walk into glass doors spilling coffee on themselves
Day#8—I’m Thankful for Security Camera’s placed in the right spot to catch above Day#9—I’m Thankful for the saxophone player on SNL that plays to let you know it is over
Day #10–I’m Thankful for Action, Horror and Kung fu movies that have helped me plan for what I will do in various life threatening situations
Day#11–I’m Thankful for Brad Pitt’s Chanel #5 commercials because I don’t still don’t get it and it makes me think
Day #12—I’m Thankful that someone decided what the world needed was sugar covered marshmallows in the shape of various creatures and created Peeps
Day #13—I’m Thankful for cardigans because they make me feel like Mr. Rogers
Day#14- I’m thankful for people who drive large tucks and/or SUV’s, talk on their cell phone and act like they are the only one’s on the road, not only do they make me pray harder, but I also get the opportunity to have several near death experiences and gain a new appreciation for life almost daily
Day #15—I’m Thankful that when I was a few years younger, my older brother taught me that food could be a weapon by hitting me in the head with a bag of Doritos that caused the bag to explode and chips go all over the place as well as slap me with and smear a slice of pepperoni pizza from Papa Johns in my face.
Day # 16— I’m Thankful that Burger King has an “Angry” Whopper to match the attitude/disposition of their employees.
Day #17– im thankful when I go to a resturaunt and see a Dad on a ipad or kindle fire, mom texting on her phone, one child on a video game, the other with earphones in listening to a mp3 player and no one is interacting. I know I will see them in therapy a few years from now because they can’t communicate
Day 18— I’m thankful for this…   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yn_DmEzenuc&feature=player_embedded
Day #19–I’m thankful for Bobby Brown who taught me ” Everybody’s talking all this stuff about me, Now now why don’t they just let me live, Oh oh oh i don’t need permission, Make my own decisions oh, That’s my prerogative”
Day 20— I’m thankful for people who go to Wal-Mart, stores, etc. in the middle of the day in pajamas for alerting the rest of us that they have basically given up
Day 21— I’m Thankful for Gustavo Almador. I need a better way to say my name to clients.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mk0wDbyKcSg&feature=player_embedded
Day 22— I’m thankful for public displays of family dysfunction. When I was in Wal-Mart last evening (always the preferred time and place for people watching), a father was yelling “Whatever!” at his adult child then stomped away/out of the frozen vegetable aisle into the deli. I thought the child was supposed to have tantrums
Day #23—-I’m thankful that there is a day set aside that makes it socially acceptable to over eat and then take a nap. Happy Thanksgiving one and all!
Day 24— I’m thankful that my turkey turned out great and my parents who don’t care for turkey really liked it.
Day 25—I’m thankful that I could go to Target Friday night with no fear of being stomped/stepped on after all the “Black Friday” shoppers had passed out from being up/shopping since the early am.
Day 26-I don’t have children yet, but I’m thankful that I plan to teach them how to answer questions in school like a politician. “Thank you teacher for that question, I love that you asked me that. I’d like to thank my classmates for being in class today so that we could answer that great question you just asked. My parents taught me the importance of going to school and answering questions like you just asked. I think teachers who ask such great questions are the backbone and heart of America. I think the word you asked me to spell, is spelled C-O-W-C-H.”  Teacher: “Couch does not have a W in it.”  “Well, based off the information that I had at the time, I spelled couch with a W in it. I think that if you give me more time I can fix how I spell couch
Day 27-I’m thankful that  If I win the power ball, ill think of you all as I swim in a pool of one dollar bills. And the first person to show up on my door step and do the truffle shuffle like chunk from the goonies for ten minutes, I will give 50,000 dollars. Ill make it 75,000 if you let me film it and put it on youtube
Day 28–I’m thankful for National Lampoons Christmas Vacation.
Day 29–I’m thankful that I got my first pair of Puma’s this week. Woohoo!
Day 30—Im thankful for the my reverse psychology New Years resolutions for 2013. I plan to gain weight, spend more, only eat vegetables and fruits to avoid scurvy.

Help, Help! Oh please help!

Dear wordpress followers and friends, I have a small request to ask of you. Several years ago, I served a two year mission for my church. On my mission, I had a missionary companion from Buenos Aires, Argentina. He loved rock especially punk. He is in a band that is competing for a year on the radio. Help make some punk rock dreams come true (even if you don’t like punk rock). Take some time to make some rock dreams come true!

Lets make this happen people! Go to this site….you don’t have to register or anything and vote for Kaktus. http://www.esonofm.blogspot.com.ar/

Here is a sample of their music. Enjoy!

 

 

 

Wisdom from the 23 yr old me

From a journal entry I had to do for an English class:

“I think comparing our childhood dreams to our adult reality can teach us many things about ourselves. We can look at what changed in our life that caused us to switch paths for our future. Did our parents disapproved of our goal and dream? Did we think that we weren’t good enough to meet the challenge of becoming this or that? Did we grab hold of our dream and pursue it? What made us want to be a doctor, a nurse, etc. when we were younger? I think by answering tese questions and more, we can gain a better understanding of ourselves and our true desire in life.”

A Lust For Life

I'm seeing stars

As I stepped outside tonight to take my dog to use the bathroom, I looked up at the night sky to look at the few stars that I could see. A memory instantly popped up from the archives from my adolescent years. My friend Neil and I had taken our dates out to his grandfathers “land” after a movie. I don’t remember anything that was said that night,or what movie we saw but I do remember the stars. There were so many, more than I had seen in a long time. And then moon was huge and so bright there was no need of a flash light. And it was so quiet. I remember the feeling of that experience. Even now, I would love to go to that grassy hill at night and just sit. And be.

The world seemed full of possibility at that age. The four of us who were present that night eventually went our separate ways. We all got married. One is a parent. Two have gotten divorced. All have scars both visible and invisible. The dreams of youth are the regrets of maturity.

So what happens to that excitement we have as youth? Does it get buried beneath responsibility and bills? Do you ever experience that same excitement and hope about life? I still get flashes of it like when I see a good movie for the first time or see one that I like that I haven’t seen in years ( if you have Netflix check out 3 o’clock high), when I get a smile from a stranger, finding money in a pocket, hear a good song, find a good quote, get new clothes (I don’t really like trying them on though), seeing a good play, drink a cold Dr. Pepper from a can, see good live music, etc.

What gives you a lust for life?

Better Living Through Pharmaceuticals

from 123rf.com

Freedom

I have taken a break for a week or so from blogging to collect not only my thoughts but myself. I have been experiencing episodes of what I like to call paralyzing depression. Now, before you imagine me in a dark room listening to Morrissey, weeping; let me stop you. Depression manifests itself differently to different people but even more so in men than in women. You have to realize that the basis or symptoms for what they diagnosis depression with are based off of symptoms that were historically more prevalent in females. That is one reason women are diagnosed with depression more often than men.

I think I have experienced feelings of depression since about middle school into adulthood. It was difficult at that time to determine if it was hormones, family dynamics or actual mental health issues. This is when I first started experiencing insomnia. I would listen to the radio on low volume so that I didn’t disturb my parents. I also started to keep a journal. What else are you going to do in the middle of the night. During this time I did discover “Jazz After Hours” on Saturday evenings on NPR, so it did have its benefits.

I was able to function. I even played soccer on the highschool team. I think my “feelings of depression” manifested themselves as anger. I used the soccer field as an opportunity to slide tackle the crap out of an opposing player.  I had a coping mechanism. Exercise kept it in check for the most part. When I went to college for the first time, I didn’t have that coping mechanism available. I had no friends and an overwhelming feeling of loneliness. I didn’t connect well with others and still struggle with that even now.  And instead of a decreased or non existent libido, I would say mine increased.  I had trouble making decisions especially with what I wanted to do with my life.  I will say I worked. My jobs were my new way of coping. I didn’t really cope, I just found new ways to cover the feelings I was experiencing. Parents worry about their children using drugs, getting into gangs, etc, but don’t give much thought to the countless songs, movies, and tv shows that deal with love and heart ache. I think I became a little “love sick” about past relationships that did not work out.

It was not until this month that I sought help. I did not really need psycotherapy since I work in the field and knew “what to do.” It was the disconnect of knowing what to do and actually doing it that motivated me. I found myself in a job that makes me miserable, a city that day by day I dislike more, and a feeling of not know who the heck I was anymore. So, I got some medication. I am not saying medication is a miracle cure and think way too many children are medicated, but it seems to help me. I do not have the days of sitting in my apartment, not wanting to go to my job and fearing when the phone would ring or when I would check my work email.

I still don’t like my job, but at least I know I don’t like it with a clear head.

A nod from a fellow blogger: The Versatile blog award

A kind soul nominated me for the versatile blogger award. Thanks so much to Amy Keast for the nod. You can follow her blog at  http://amykeast.com/ Not only is she a pharmacist but she is also an intuitive. Please check her out! You could even win a free reading from her!

So here are the rules of the Versatile Blog award:

1. nominate 15 other bloggers

2. Include award image in post

3. Thank the person(s) who nominated you and link back to them

4..Share 7 random things about yourself.

So here are the random things:
1) I’m an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served a two year mission in Salt Lake City (those experiences could be a whole blog of their own)
2) When I was younger I tried to collect all the Kung Fu movies that the Wu Tang Clan (rap group) got their names from even though I didn’t even like the Wu Tang Clan. I had Method Man, and Old Dirty Kung Fun.
3) I was in a band with my older brother and a friend from Church during high school. I played the drums. We won the talent show my senior year.
4) I went on my Honeymoon to Jamacia.
5) I’m afaid of heights but I want to skydive.
6) I have an addictive personality.
7) I’m addicted to Dr. Pepper.

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Please give these blogs a click and show some love to them!

Tales from High School: How I dealt with a bully

I was a freshman in high school. I was tall, slender and had long wavy hair. I wore bell bottoms on occasion and was a pretty laid back teen who did not get into or cause too much trouble. My friend Neil and I were in the same Physical Science class. Seated next to Neil was a rather large fellow who was in our grade. The type of kid who was into anime, heavy metal, and tried his best to look like a tough guy. He would bring his Playstation to school and play during his lunch period, I guess as a way of showing to all that not only was he tough, “cool,” but also had money. I’m talking about the original Playstation when they first came out.  I guess he felt it was important to try out that persona of being a tough guy on myself and friend Neil. He thought it was a good idea to call me names and try to throw a golf ball at me.

Let me clarify, this was not my first experience with a bully. My family moved from Winston-Salem, NC to Mt. Airy, NC when I was in Kindergarten. There was a fifth grader on the bus that used to sit beside me and punch me in the crotch. I didn’t say anything to my two older brothers the first couple of days. Maybe even as a young child, the pride of being a male wouldn’t let me admit I was being bullied. My father gave myself and brothers one piece of wisdom when it came to fighting, “I will be mad at you if you start a fight, but if they throw the first punch, you have my permission to lay them out.” So the following day when the crotch obsessed 5th grader called me names and punched me in the crotch, I had enough. I punched him directly in the nose. Suddenly his nose began to pour blood. The bus stopped and the bus driver had a little smirk on his face the entire time the story was being retold. My father did not find out what happened until he came to school the following week to pick my brother up from school. The principal told my father “I understood your son took care of a little problem we had on the bus…” My father thought the principal was talking about my oldest brother. The principal said “No the other one.” My father give my other brothers name, the principal again said “No, no, the other one.” Needless to say, my father was shocked but not one bit angry. I think the principal and my father had a little chuckle about it.

So when the 14 yr old version of myself realized that I was being bullied, I had a choice to make. I could attempt to stand up to this bully by fighting him, I could tell my older brothers ( one who at the time was an “addict” and probably would not have been thinking straight if directed to the person bully his little brother) or I could say nothing.  I have never been the type to set back but I was smart enough to realize that I could not fight this boy and win. So I went with option D, I would get him were it hurts. Remember that Playstation I told you that he brought to school? Well, he happen to have it at school the day I decided I had enough. As he got up from his seat, I told Neil to grab it and hand it to me. I sat it in my lap and covered it with the green cardigan that was similar to Kurt Cobain’s from Nirvana Unplugged. He returned to his seat and it took him a few moments but he realized something was amiss. He asked us if we had seen his Playstation. Neil and I utilized our Jedi Mind tricks saying things like “I didn’t see you with it today, are you sure you brought it?” The force must have been strong with us that day because he eventually went on with his work. I was able to put the Playstation in my book bag. I tried to call and go home “sick.” I eventually got home with it. Each time Neil and I played that Playstation, we had a good little laugh on how we bested a complete A-hole.

This same boy came back the next day to school and knew that his Playstation was gone. He stated to me and Neil that he “…knew you guys didn’t take it,” we didn’t argue with him. He proceeded to blame a new kid to our school who happen to be a wrestler and football player who was smaller than him. He challenged the new kid to a fight. When final exams were over, the bully gave the new kid a push as well as exchanged some words with him. The new kid had to hop a little, but punched the bully in the face so hard he fell backwards into the boys bathroom. After that one punch, the bully decided to terminate his membership in the bully club.

He later found out that we took his Playstation (because a girl who dated my brothers friend ended up dating he bully and shared the story). We gave it back to him after I opened it up poured syrup in it and set the insides on fire. I replaced the cover and gave it to him. He actually apologized for his behavior.

To this day, it makes me so angry to feel like someone is bullying another. I have had to advocate for myself and wife against an apartment complex, insurance agency and the Virginia State government because I felt like I was being pushed around. But that’s another story…

Most Memorable Characters: Tarantino

As a teen, I really enjoyed the films of Quentin Tarantino. They have a violent feel (even though most of the violence ACTUALLY occurs off-screen in most of his films, if you pay attention). When I was in junior high, my oldest brother let me and my friend Neil sneak into Pulp Fiction. There were a few adults that were in the theatre that left probably due to the language or Ned and the gimp. If you have seen the movie, you know that I am talking about. Tarantino’s films are not only full of words that you shouldn’t say in public, but as well as pop culture references such as Elvis, the Fronz, etc, great soundtracks, and clever dialogue.

So here at Josh, Naked, we are sharing the top ten Quentin Tarantino characters, in my humble opinion.

Number 10

I am about to commit the cardinal film lover/Tarantino fan sin… When I first saw this film, I was a little disappointed. I felt it was “too wordy.” The sequences with the “Basterds” were fantastic. I felt the “other” story line drug the film down a bit. Thanks to getting free Showtime, while living in Louisville, KY, I was able to see this movie several times. I really gained an appreciation for the film. Lt. Aldo Raine is the pure gristle. From being a man of few words, to scalping Nazi’s, carving swastika’s in Nazi foreheads, to the rope marks around his neck when he obviously survived an attempted hanging probably at the hands of the Nazis. Donny Donowitz (Eli Roth could have easily taken this spot, “The Jew Bear” with a bat, what gets better than that?)

Number 9

Reservoir Dogs is the story of a robbery gone wrong. That is all I will say about the film. The movie is full of great music (K Billy’s super sounds of the 70’s), reasons not to tip, analysis of Madonna’s music, dialogue and deception. Mr. White is one of the most level-headed of the film. He has a tough guy exterior but also a rawness just below the surface.

Number 8

O-Ren Ishii aka Cotton Mouth. She is as beautiful as she is deadly. A “half-breed” assassin who becomes the head of a crime organization in Tokyo. She was part of Deadly Viper Assassination Squad who attempted to kill “The Bride” in Kill Bill. Her skill and power made her lose her head.

Number 7

How can I choose between Clarence, Alabama, Drexl, Floyd, Mr. Worley, and Vincenzo?  This is actually a bit of a cheat. Tarantino sold the script to pay for another film. Tony Scott actually directed it, but Taratino comes through loud and clear.

Oh Bill. If there was no Bill, we would not have Kill Bill. He is the master mind of the film. He put the hit out to kill the Bride, his former love. Bill is an expert in kung fu and waxes poetic on Superman.

 

Quentin Tarantino has been in many films. He plays a memorable role in “Desperado” telling a joke in a bar. One of his best roles is playing Jimmy in Pulp Fiction. Jimmy is somehow a friend of Marcellus Wallace the “crime lord” if you will of the film. After an accident involving a gun, Marvin, and a bloody backseat, the man characters end up at Jimmy’s house. I will tell you this, the last thing Jimmy wants is to get a divorce and he can brew a good cup of coffee.

Number 4

 This is the role that relaunched John Travolta’s career. Vincent Vega is “hitman” for Marcellus Wallace and charged with getting a briefcase for Mr. Wallace. He knows a thing or two about McDonald’s and Hash bars in Europe. He has a sweet car and is very nervous about taking Mr. Wallace’s wife, Mia, out on the town. He has good aim with an adrenaline needle and enjoys bacon and pork chops.

Number 3

 Since we are on the topic of the Vega brothers, Vic Vega aka Mr. Blonde from Reservoir Dogs is an unforgettable character. He is simply put “cold.” He gets a little trigger happy during the failed heist. While he is probably the least remorseful for his actions, you can’t help but like him. Mr. Blonde, while leaving the scene of the crime, kidnaps a cop named Marvin Nash. He proceeds to torture Marvin with a straight razor and cover him with gas all the while dancing to “Stuck in the middle with you” by Stealers Wheel on “K Billy’s Sounds of the 70’s.” Things do not end well for the Vega brothers.

Number 2

 The Bride from Kill Bill. Her name is revealed later in the film. I really wish that Kill Bill was released as one major kung fun/spaghetti western epic as Tarantino imagined. This character was developed for years. Uma Thurman plays The Bride, who was left for dead. She kicks, cuts, and burrows her way to revenge against those who left her for dead. She is a strong female lead.