This, in one form or another...

will be my next tattoo. I'm fully aware it resembles the State Flag of Louisiana, but when it makes a permanent indentation on my skin, it will look more like a tattoo. It will be a representation of the flag, but with that "good ol' tattoo style". I'm looking forward to it, because it will probably be the last one, at least for quite some time. Not that I'm running out of ideas, I'm just running out of good places to put these ideas. I love my tattoos, but I also realize there is a fine line between having tattoos and looking like a circus freak. I'd prefer to stay on the more conservative-looking side of that line, at least for the time being.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you...Shawarma!

That's right; say it with me...شاورما‎. I'm told it is chopped up chicken (although lamb is the most typical ingredient) and vegetables rolled up in a pita-like bread, also referred to as lafa.

Upon closer inspection, this odd concoction also contained picked cucumber, some kind of pepper and onion combination that made it somewhat spicy (not spicy to me, but I will admit it gave it a nice kick), and potato. Since by the time I got to this shawarma it was several hours old, it didn't cast the same spell on my that my other housemates fell victim to. Some of these guys eat three and four at a time. Possibly because they actually think these things taste good. Or, it could be that with the exchange rate, they cost about 50 cents apiece. Either way, these colleagues of mine buy in bulk and there are always massive amounts of leftovers.

I'm thinking tomorrow I'll unravel one of these Middle-Eastern masterpieces and see what is beneath the bread. I'll probably even scramble it with a couple of egg whites for a nice little breakfast, unless I'm appalled at what is actually in these things (which is a possibility I'm willing to accept).

Until then...

Taking off the mask, but just for a second.

Move along folks, nothing to see here...

Seriously, if you happen to stumble upon this cave where I sock away my private (well, not quite so private) thoughts; move along. I don't mind if you read, occasionally stop by to point and laugh, or whatever your motivations are to see what goes on in my head. As you'll find out by reading or even asking me point blank, I don't particularly enjoy writing for an audience. I just got done doing it for a college class, and it was not enjoyable. The topics were uninspiring, and therefore my output was unimpressive, at least to me it was. I got an A in the class, and I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if I actually got the best grade in the class considering how many absolutely dreadful papers I peer-reviewed, but I digress.

Getting back to the subject at hand...Don't confuse the purpose, or the premise behind this small space of information superhighway. I do this for me. I was taught at a young age that getting your thoughts out of your head and on to a piece of paper (screen, since we're moving this into the 21st century, thank you very much) can be very therapeutic. They were right, and I'm taking full advantage of that. I actually had my very own Tumblr (different blogging website for those not in the know) account, and I deleted it because I wasn't sure I was thrilled about those that were reading what I was writing on a nearly daily basis. So, I took my ball and went to play somewhere else. I landed here.

Believe me, there are enough bloggers out there that are dying for people to read and care about what they say and think on a daily basis. It should be obvious by now that I'm not one of those types of bloggers. I don't want to scare anyone away, I just don't want the wrong people taking a peek inside of what I feel about everyday life. People that already have their minds made up about me, good, bad, or indifferent. I can't have them seeing me for what I am. I'd just as soon let them keep their prejudices or first impressions concerning me. It's really better off for everyone involved.

Funny thing is, I'm most likely viewed by someone that wears their heart on their sleeve. What they don't know is that I don't even say half of what is actually on my mind. Quite amusing, at least to me it is.

Bracket-busting madness

Now, this isn't an image of MY bracket. Especially considering this is a bracket from a couple years ago. I just thought I'd share my new once a year addiction. I never really thought I'd be into college basketball enough to partake in the insanity that is making a bracket for the NCAA Men's Tournament, but I was wrong. Never underestimate what boring surroundings will do to you. Not that college basketball is boring to me, I was just never really into it. I didn't put too much thought into my bracket, but I did take chances in choosing underdogs and evaluating talent on some of the teams I think have a real shot. I have watched a few games throughout the year, which doesn't give me a leg up, but it probably had influence on which teams I favored in certain situations. I'm looking forward to see how it turns out. I wish everyone else luck in their brackets.

Daily Losses Update

Seriously...Yesterday, the Dow and S&P 500 go up, my portfolio goes down. Today, the Dow and S&P 500 go down, my portfolio goes down...WHATTHEFUCK?!?!?!

One of my mutual funds is called a "Balanced Strategy"...NOT looking too balanced right now.

Don't these toolbag mutual fund managers realize I'm trying save to fund a college education, and dream house in NOLA, and a retirement too??? Get it together, already.