Quick Thoughts

• Parks and Rec season 2 is ready for me at the library. Such a great show, each character is so unique and adds value to the show.
• Why is there so much candy in this office I work at, I can only hold off the temptation so long?
• Ben Rector's new album came out today. I have yet to hear it, but I bet it will be a gift to my ears when I do.
• Going back to thought 2. Snickers Peanut Butter is really good. 
• First week of Fantasy Football is over. I won in both my leagues.....but do no expect much out of either team this season.
• I like to think like that about Fantasy Football. I have no real control over how my teams perform. I can just hope.
• Just got free pizza for lunch. Out of the blue. That makes for a good day.
• And for some reason I am having another Snickers Peanut Butter.
• Google Reader is great. I don't have to check multiple sites anymore, just go see who has updated with my Google Reader. (Thanks Mim...even though I kind of trash talked it at the beginning.)
• Speaking of Google Reader, I will leave you with this gem from Awkward Family photos, which was a great subscription choice for myself.

 

Life in Retail

I work part time in a retail store. Luckily I do not work in clothes or something, I work in the meat department. Here are some things I have encountered/learned in my adventures.

Working in retail I have learned you are never doing just one thing. You have to be ready for all sorts of things, for instance, the last time I worked I was scheduled for the meat department, but saw time cashiering, working in the pharmacy, helping produce, working frozen food for grocery, and pushing carts in from outside, all while making 2 bales in a five hour shift. A 5 hour shift where I could have easily left early by finishing my area early too.

Anyway, feels like too much talking myself up....that is not what this is about. This is about encounters like Knox Mccoy mentioned here. (I really loved his blog post about the human grenades you encounter at the grocery store, because of how true it is. I encourage you to go check it out if you have not already.)

One of my favorite encounters that I get all the time while working goes something like this:

Me: Can I help you find anything?
Customer: Yes
Me:(waiting for them to ask about a product they can't find.)
Customer: (either walking away or looking at me strangely.)
Me: (walking away realizing they didn't listen to what I said and will just reply "yes" no matter what I say.)

After having this encounter most every time I work, my new plan is to start asking randomness. My next shot will be "Can I help you buy me something?" That way when they say "yes", I will quickly throw some Filet Mignons in their cart for a delicious steak dinner for myself and my wife.

Alright, that is part of my life spent in retail for now. Please feel free to stop by and see me when I work so I can talk you into buying something...if I made commission I would have like $2.53 or something by now...

Seen Now Shared 2

Welcome to the 2nd installment of Seen Now Shared, where I share things I have recently seen with you, my reader. And of course by reader, I mean my wife, at this point I know at least she reads this stuff, but mainly because I make her. Maybe it is time I force some others to come check this out.

Anyway, here is some stuff I have seen.

I have logged this info into my mind in case I ever watch someone's pets again.

 Saw this post "20 texting phrasing every parent must know." It has some graphic content, but something anyone who works with youth should know about.

This is also something that everyone who works with youth should know about.

While we are still on the youth workers awareness topics.

I bet they are awesome Grandparents...

Their dolls scare me.

  This video is quite clever and a sweet prank I want to try out sometime.

The 3rd Best State Fair

May look like a lot of people, but still rather easy to get around

 We went to the Minnesota state fair yesterday. I was told it is the 3rd best state fair behind Texas and Iowa. How Iowa? Who knows...

It was an incredible day weather wise, with a high in the 70's, and not a very crowded time, at least that is how it felt. It may have over a million people each day, but the fair has enough space to keep you from feeling like sardines.


I would have loved to have more time Minnesota's great get together, but my few hours there were quite fun. They included deep fried snickers, cheese curds, a MN wild rice burger, free samples, lots of animals, and great people watching.

Deep Fried Snickers/Instant Cavity...worth it.

The MN State fair is all about the food...and mostly about that food being on a stick. Let's discuss that food,. the Deep Fried snickers was quite delicious. I may have felt cavities occur as soon as I took my first bite, but the taste was well worth it.

Cheese Curds

We were also told that we had to try the cheese curds at the fair 1st. I am glad we did, they were good. No deep fried candy bar good, but quite tasty.

The MN wild rice infused burger was a diving moment as we saw both our pastors at the fair, and both suggested I give it a try. I am glad I did, it was very good. The rice cooked into the meat was a good flavor and their caramelized onions worked very well on it as well.

Butter sculpture...

Please click this link to read about the people who make butter sculptures. Not sure which is more weird, the butter sculptures or the pageant winners that have them make butter sculptures of themselves.

Sadly Minnesota's largest pig had already gone home as it was the last day of the fair. And to me, that is not fair....get it?

Anyway, we will be going again next year. Next time I want more food on sticks. Maybe I will have some walleye, alligator, or lobster on a stick next year.