Starry Eyed

How amazing

The way you look when

Being yourself

Not changing for anyone except

For you.

When you look at me

With eyes that can see

Right through my flaws

And still enjoy

My company...

There's something

I want to say

Something I cannot possibly

Articulate.

We have no idea

If what

We have will

Last.

But today is good.

Yesterday was too.

When I am

With you

You make me want to

Reach for the sky.

You lift me

Though you would hardly know why.

We do not change who we are.

But the stars are there

We can reach up

Together

In our separate ways.

I will change

You will too

But only to improve

For ourselves.

As good as things get

Let us just see

Where it goes...

Hearts were made to be mended.

Nothing comes from

Leaving everything boxed.

We are not done trying.

Let us count the stars

See how many we can

Show each other.

One day at a time.

One step after another.

There is no rush.

But nothing good is without

Risk.

Taking chances

How nerve-wracking.

Be beside me.

Hold my hand.

Make me see stars.

Lift me up.

Make me better.

But keep me the same.

If something changes tomorrow...

Let us deal with it then.

I will try

And I hope you will too.

Food Review Saturday - Gallagher's in Downtown Ripon, Wisconsin

Well, you know how I like to blather on about things... And you know how I like to eat (or at least you know now, anyway!). So, I thought to myself as I sat down to food at Gallagher's restaurant, "Why don't I rant about food?" It isn't like the topic will ever die out, you know? So in light of that, I've decided on a new Food Review Saturday, where I will try new food and then come here and talk about it.

Today's choice was Gallagher's restaurant in downtown Ripon, Wisconsin. They're located at 333 Watson Street, Ripon, Wisconsin, 54971 (just in case you need to GPS it after you read about them here). And for those who use Facebook, click here to see their Facebook page! Google+ users can click here for their Google+ page!

Two employees at Gallagher's hold up a menu. Thank you to the owner and employees for letting me take photos!

I've been to Gallagher's once before with my mum soon after it opened, but at that time I was more focused on the company I was with than actually thinking about what I was eating. This time, I made my decision before eating.

Gallagher's is a lovely restaurant with a contemporary decor that gives it an appeal that is both casual and fancy. I've been to restaurants that have tried to achieve the balanced blend of casual and fancy but normally it is very jarring. Gallagher's actually managed to achieve the perfect blend, so even being there on my own I felt comfortable. Good job, Gallagher's! That fact alone made me happy. I always like to eat, and I will lose my ambition to cook faster than a snap of the fingers so if I had to find someone to go with me to a restaurant every time... I'd probably settle with potato chips and a Korean drama on Netflix instead. I do like food, but sometimes... I just want to eat without conversation.

I walked in to Gallagher's and I'll be very honest... I didn't wait to be seated even though there's a sign that says to wait. I knew I was going to want to have a seat with a view of the entire restaurant and so I took the seat that afforded me the best opportunity to watch, and also the seat that put me at the greatest ease for asking for the restaurant owner when I was done. (I wanted to ask to take pictures of the restaurant...)

So, my very nice server approached. She was a bundle of smiles. Her personality was great. She didn't even bat an eye at my request for a lemon in my water. One thing I noticed about Gallagher's was the pleasant atmosphere provided by the servers. It isn't something you actually notice unless it is a bad atmosphere and at that point, you'll grumble for days about how negative your server was, and you'll tell everyone about them, the restaurant, the food...

But it wasn't just my server who was pleasant. I watched the various people going back and forth as they did their work. Smiles, giggles... they talked warmly to each other, but they didn't let the conversation affect their work. My server continued to see how I was doing and if there was anything I needed. Awesome.

Teriyaki Chicken sandwich This came with 3 pickle slices, and a choice of fries or chips

I know how awesome that looks, but believe me when I say it tastes better than it looks! So, at first when I was placing my order, I did my usual... "What's this?" and she offered to find out what she didn't already know... And then I pulled a 180 and decided on the Teriyaki Chicken sandwich.

I could not have been happier! It was so good. Service was fast at making my sandwich, and the chips are amazing! They aren't mass produced Lays brand potato chips. They make their chips. My one complaint about the sandwich entree was the pickles. I'm not a pickle person, so don't take me to heart over this. But if you like pickles, they're very... uh... pickle-y? I guess that could be the word for it.

The chicken on the sandwich is glazed in a Teriyaki sauce, and then complimented with a warmly grilled pineapple that sweetens the Teriyaki sauce. Lettuce gave the sandwich a bit of a crunch, and the finishing touch was really the Brioche roll (which was also grilled, by the way, just in case you wanted juicy details!). The Teriyaki mayo certainly didn't cause complaints in my book either.

Loaded Potato Skins... These are amazing and highly recommended I just need a bigger stomach

Next, I got an appetizer, because there's no reason to eat the appetizer first. I got the Loaded Potato Skins... They're basically half-inch thick slices of the outsides of potatoes with your favorite baked potato fixings: sour cream, cheese, scallions, and bacon bits (but the real bacon bits, not the fake salad kinds that break your teeth or get stuck in your cavities).

So, now that I've talked about all that, I guess you're probably wondering what this place costs? $20 per person? $30 per person? You're way off. I got a coke, an appetizer (which was big enough to be an entree in my book), and an entree (which could feed two people). Total bill... $16 dollars. Fine, yet casual cuisine that isn't about to leave a proximity bomb on your bank account. It's a great restaurant for a first date, an engagement party, or a meal for teenagers on their way to prom night. Why spend $16 at Burger King or McDonald's when you can enjoy a dining experience that doesn't come complete with spilled soda skudge on the floors? Their sandwich entrees run from 6 to 9 dollars depending on what you get. Appetizers vary from 3 to 7 dollars.

Okay, so we talked about the service (spectacular), the food (delectable), and the price (reasonable)...

You're wondering... "What's the catch? There's gotta be a catch..."

Sadly, there is. Drum roll please... They serve coke products. I'm not a fan. But you know me... I prefer weird drinks from around the world over coke or pepsi products, so basically I'm just looking for something to complain about!

Of course, if I had the option to improve the drink choice, I'd have them add drinks like Mr. Q. Cumber (a soda that is cucumber flavor) or JOIA Sparkling Grapefruit Chamomile & Cardamom beverage. I believe both of those drinks would have gone better with my Teriyaki Chicken sandwich, but even still, tonight was very satisfying.

Don't forget to click here to see their Facebook page or else click here for their Google+ page!  

Are you wondering when they're open?

Tuesday - Saturday......7 AM to 9:30 PM

Sunday.........................7 AM to 3:00 PM

(CLOSED MONDAYS)

They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It is a restaurant that serves alcoholic beverages, and from what I understand, they have coffee too.

Well, I hope this is suitably helpful! Let me know what you think in the comments below. Did you go to Gallagher's? Did you have an experience there you would like to share? Feel free to let me know below!

7 tips for a happier you

I know, I know... those who know me are giggling behind their hands over how amusing it is that I of all people would write a blog about happiness, as if I am ever in a pleasant mood (bah humbug). But I'll give it a shot! After all, I am about to hit the 4,000 milestone for views on this here blog which is pretty record breaking for me! I should celebrate with wine, strawberries, chocolates, and a blog post.

Sadly, I am at the factory writing this on my breaks so everything on that list except the blog post is currently not feasible. Oh, I know. Why shouldn't I operate my press while drinking wine? It's not like I need to be safe, right?

So, here's a list of 7 things for a happier you!

1. Wear make up to work. Why, you ask? Well, why not!? It's your face. You can do what you want to it! Nice try, claiming your masculinity as argument not to... Make up is inanimate. It won't judge you!

2. Make the choice not to wear make up for a few days! Spend those 5 minutes, ten minutes, thirty minutes, two hours, doing something else! Sleep in, make a bowl of oats to go with your eggs and bacon, or bring in a load of firewood for the fireplace you dream of someday having, but you probably still want to shower. I mean, you don't typically notice your own smell, but it's never bad to have good hygiene.

3. Exercise. Even that word is tiring and makes me want to nap. But you know what? After exercising for 5, 10, or 15 minutes, I sit down and wonder who gave me the crazy bug. After a little while, however, the pain eases and the stress trickles away. It always feels good to have accomplished the exercises then, even if I did my push ups next to a ton of shoes that I don't wear anymore. (But I assure you, they're gorgeous shoes.)

4. Eat onions. Eat brown beans. Eat mushrooms. Eat hot sauce. Eat whatever it is you enjoy eating and don't let anyone judge you or make you feel bad about it! Bad breath or tooting aside, you shouldn't limit yourself! And the odds are quite good for passing the beans.

5. Smile more. I don't care who you are, what race or gender you are... smiling is infectious. Happiness is contagious. People like happy people, and they're going to pass on that contagion after leaving you. If you're grumpy, they're going to feel uncomfortable too. There's nothing wrong with spreading a bit of cheer.

6. Say hello and strike up a conversation with someone you don't really know in the coffee shop. What's a 3 or 4 minute conversation about the weather going to do while you wait for the barista to make your complicated extra whip decaffeinated whole milk mocha chai latte? You won't know unless you try!

7. Go out of your box. That's right... leave your comfort zone once in a while. People do it every day! You can too! Try a new menu item. Try a new cappuccino. I promise it will feel good even if you only decide the last drink was better.

Bonus:

The eighth happiness...

8!!! Make up your resume fresh and new. No one is fully satisfied with their work. Having a resume on hand is a great relief to have.

Do you agree?  Disagree? Let me know your thoughts below!! I really want to know!!

My Body, My Choice

Have you ever worked in a factory? If you can answer yes to that question, then it is very likely you know that factory work can be like going to school with a hundred kids barely out of puberty. Rumors fly and gossip creates a sea of tears for the unprepared worker to drown in.

This topic is actually brought up by a work situation I find myself in. I work at a factory that is certainly not an exception to the rule. At one point or another, everyone will find themselves at the center of gossip for small groups or even large groups. For me, it has happened before (because I cut my hair). And this week it happened again (because I've been wearing make up).

So I just wanted to take a moment to vent a bit about the situation.

I am a female. I work in a factory that is primarily male dominated so I let it slide (mostly) when people questioned why I would cut off 13 inches of hair last year. (I donated it for wig making).

Many of the questions I received were similar to this:

"Is everything okay?"

And when I reacted with confusion because everything was never better, the response was this:

"Well, I just thought something was wrong. Girls only cut their hair when something happens. Did you break up with your boyfriend?"

Uhhh... first of all, let me clarify... While some girls have changed drastically in style after a bad or traumatizing event, not every girl needs an excuse to change themselves. Wait, let me rephrase that better... We don't need to excuse ourselves for changing. We change, for better or for worse, because it was our choice to do so. We had a real nice hair style, complete with long locks that added on five minutes of rinsing time in the shower?  It added on 10 extra minutes of blow drying, and another 30 minutes to style it? Okay, maybe I dramatize my time frame, but most guys have short hair and no need to use so much as a brush, much less a blow dryer. I was very hot, my hair didn't want to stay up at work one day, so I took a scissors to it. End of story. Donate and be done.

But I received so much concern afterwards because clearly something was wrong. I can't have just cut my hair for no reason. And no amount of reassuring my coworkers would seem to convince them I was fine.

Now this week, and part of last week, I began doing my make up again. And why not? I own the make up, I like the way I look with it on, but suddenly speculations are going around. Something changed, I must be dating, any reason I've given as to why I wear it is obviously fishy. Because women don't wear make up without a man in their life.

Can I get a HAHAHAHAHAHAHA? Now repeat that laugh, only... make it sound more hysterical...manic...

If I have learned one thing about women in my life purely by being a woman, it is that we are unpredictable. You will get comfortable with us one way and then we will pull the rug from under you, throwing a curve ball that you should have expected but didn't because it was so unlike us.

I don't need to rant all night on this, but I do want to say this:

I don't know a single woman who changes who she is based on someone else's needs, wants, opinions... how we cut or color or style our hair is a personal choice. We wear make up not to please some significant other, but instead to please ourselves. We pick our clothes because they're comfortable. Because they make us feel confident, or sexy, or beautiful to ourselves. When we look in the mirror, we might ask another person how we look, but in truth the words are just an utterance. We have already asked ourselves and we're either satisfied or not. If not, we're already changing because it makes us happy.

Women change themselves to provide a measure of control over themselves too. We take pride in our appearance, our hygiene. We shave our legs and armpits because armpit hair itches, and because that hot summer night, we wore only a night shirt to bed and didn't like the feeling of our prickly legs.

We wear make up to work at a factory because there was nothing that could stop us from doing so (except maybe running out of make up).

If it is my body, my hair, my face... I think I know better than you do about what I do to it and why.

Do you agree? Disagree? Feel free to comment on why down below in the comments!

Black Widow Deserves A Movie

Why the heck are people slamming female super heroes like they're sluts for having flirted or spent time with male super heroes? This post is about Black Widow and Iron Man, and the recent issues of Jeremy Renner calling Black Widow a slut. And it's also about ranting.

Let me break this down for you, really slow, so that there's no misunderstanding...

WOMEN AND MEN SHOULD NOT BE HELD TO DIFFERENT STANDARDS.

And since I wrote that in capslock, on the internet, you know I'm not only telling the truth, but I know what I'm talking about.

It shouldn't matter whether someone's genitals are on the inside or the outside. A man's masculinity should not be based on the number of conquests he has. Now, we all know Iron Man has had many women in his bed. He likes women. He's a bajillionaire with a corporation that makes him a quadrillionaire who can fly around in suits and - oh, by the way, announce on the news that he's Iron Man, and no one cares that he's done a ton of damage to the city to save the world... since they know who he is, wouldn't it be nice if he perhaps got a bill in the mail saying, "Hey, we appreciate your efforts here today, but you need to repair the city and serve x-amount of years for destruction of public and private property."

Black Widow as a super hero is a pretty awesome character. Going off her abilities alone (most of them are purely based on determination, hard work, extreme amounts of dedication to a task... with a few biotechnological things that only enhance what abilities she has that are not SUPER powers) she's like the female version of Neo from the Matrix. Except she has to deal with a monthly visit from Aunt Irma, maternity clothes if she gets pregnant, and a severely male dominated work environment.

Doesn't that make it seem like she deserves some credit? Especially for not leaving any DNA evidence when she's fighting a bad guy and Aunt Irma pays her a surprise visit a day early? She has bad guys to flush out. She doesn't just say, "Oh, sorry boss... I'm cramping like nobody's business, weeping into a pillow, and eating chocolate ice cream and pickles. I can't come to work today."

Black Widow is a major role model for all girls everywhere, because she's cool, confident in herself, intelligent, crafty, deadly, feminine, good...  She's like a one-woman army, so why is it we can't have a movie about her saving the day? Scarlett Johansson plays her marvelously (see what I did there?) so let's have a Black Widow movie....

Do you like this? Agree with this? Disagree? Tell me what you think in the comments below!!