Who cares what they think?

I do.

I care.

You know why? 

Because they are my friends.

Let me explain.

Every time I hang out with my guy friends I end up going home feeling really bad about myself. 

I don't think I'm fat. I don't think I'm unattractive. I'm in pretty good shape (can you hike 12 miles a day for 10 days straight?!). I can look in the mirror every morning and say something nice about myself. 

So, what happened, Court? Its hard to explain. 

How can I keep my good self image when I hang out with guys that are constantly googling over super good looking girls? Or guys that complain that none of their "pretty" girl friends have time to hang out with them? Or guys that are complaining because all their hot girl friends are going on missions? Or guys that will only date models? Or guys who will compliment and flirt with other girls in front of me (its not like I want to date them... but everyone likes to be complimented)?

Its not just the guys... sorry to target them. Its hard to feel good about myself when even my best girlfriends are obsessing about their weight (and they are skinny... I'm not just saying that). 

You know what I did after hanging out with these guys? I went home (after stopping by my cousins to trade cars and see my aunt and uncle... long story) and cried. I guess I'm embarrassed. There's always those girls that are super cute and thin who are constantly complaining that they are fat and ugly. Oh, please honey! I guess I'm the total opposite: I'm not attractive (notice I didn't say ugly... not all my self esteem is gone) and I'm not thin, but I'm fine with that. I can't base my self esteem off my looks. And I try not to. Do you follow?

What happened next? The best thing EVER! I went to Costco!

Well, I went to pick up my prescription for my Costochondritis (which means the cartilage between my ribs in inflamed and it hurts when I breathe), but I ended up getting something else there too: diet pills... Hydroxycut to be exact.

After purchasing my goods, I started heading for the exit. As you exit Costco you have to show the door-worker-person your receipt and merchandise. I flashed my receipt (I only had two things) and proceeded to exit when the door-worker-person stopped me. He (a good looking guy) looked at me and said "Hydorxycut?! Naw girl! You don't need these! You look good!" I laughed and said thanks. I guess he didn't think I was genuine because he kept yelling it and even asked the people in line behind me if they thought I looked good. I didn't stick around to hear their answers, but I left smiling.

Moral of the story: I need to lose some weight. I do care what people think about me. If you are thin you need to stop obsessing about your weight and learn to love yourself. If you are hanging out with a not-so-good-looking girl stop telling her about your good looking girl friends, she doesn't want/need to hear about it. That guy at Costco is a sweetheart. 

The Guys' Rules

*I got this in an e-mail and thought it was funny. Its rules for women written by a man.* 

I hope it makes you laugh! Enjoy!

"We always hear 'the rules' from the female side.

Now here are the rules from the male side.

Please note.. these are all numbered '1' ON PURPOSE!

1. Men are NOT mind readers.

1. Learn to work the toilet seat. 

You're a big girl. If it's up, put it down. We need it up, you need it down. You don't hear us complaining about you leaving it down.

1. Sunday sports It's like the full moon or the changing of the tides. 

Let it be.

1. Shopping is NOT a sport. 

And no, we are never going to think of it that way.

1. Crying is blackmail.

1. Ask for what you want.

Let us be clear on this one:

Subtle hints do not work!

Strong hints do not work!

Obvious hints do not work!

Just say it!

1. Yes and No are perfectly acceptable answers to almost every question.

1. Come to us with a problem only if you want help solving it. That's what we do.

Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for.

1. A headache that lasts for 17 months is a Problem.

See a doctor.

1. Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument.

In fact, all comments become null and void after 7 Days.

1. If you won't dress like the Victoria 's Secret girls, don't expect us to act like soap opera guys.

1. If you think you're fat, you probably are.

Don't ask us.

1. If something we said can be interpreted two ways and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, we meant the other one

1. You can either ask us to do something or tell us how you want it done.

Not both.

If you already know best how to do it, just do it yourself.

1. Whenever possible, please say whatever you have to say during commercials.

1. Christopher Columbus did NOT need directions and neither do we.

1. ALL men see in only 16 colors, like Windows default settings.

Peach, for example, is a fruit, not A color. Pumpkin is also a fruit.

We have no idea what mauve is.

1. If it itches, it will be scratched.

We do that.

1. If we ask what is wrong and you say 'nothing,' We will act like nothing's wrong.

We know you are lying, but it is just not worth the hassle.

1. If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, expect an answer you don't want to hear.

1. When we have to go somewhere, absolutely anything you wear is fine... Really.

1. Don't ask us what we're thinking about unless you are prepared to discuss such topics as baseball, the shotgun formation, or golf.

1. You have enough clothes.

1. You have too many shoes.

1. I am in shape. Round IS a shape!

1. Thank you for reading this.

Yes, I know, I have to sleep on the couch tonight;

But did you know men really don't mind that? It's like camping."

Bring on the Madness!

Its March! 

Spring is finally here and the NCAA basketball tournament has begun!

I made my bracket (did you?!) and I'm watching the Temple vs Arizona St game as I write this.

I remember going with my dad in 2003 to the Pond to watch Arizona play Notre Dame and Duke play Kansas in the sweetsixteen (3rd round). Little did I know that, then Arizona star, Luke Walton would be drafted to play for my boys, the Lakers.

One thing that makes this time of year so much fun is if my bracket is better then my friends brackets then I win this:

That's right!

Adam Morrisons head! 

Adam played for Gonzaga for 3 years before being drafted to the NBA by the Bobcats. He was traded this year and now plays for the Lakers! Booyah!

The reason the mannequin head is of Adam Morrison is because (1) he was the star of Gonzaga the year the head was made and (2) he is not the best looking guy (who needs to be good looking when you can play ball like that?)

So for the past few years, 15 of my friends and I have been playing against each other to win Adam Morrions head. The game is simple. Who ever has the best bracket gets the head.

I came in second last year : ( So close! And this year Adam is coming home with me. He is a Laker and I want him! Plus, he looks so much better now : )

# 15, here we come

Lakers clinched + Kings eliminated = awesomeness! 

We are going all the way!

Guys and Girls

I am fine being surrounded by men. Most of my friends are guys. But all girls need their girls. I need someone to talk to about "girl stuff", I need someone to LISTEN to me when I talk, I need someone to give me just an ounce of sympathy, I need someone who will go to the cafe with me and get a piece of pie (it is pie day you know)...

The guys just don't get it. They either treat me like a guy or like a little girl. They need to just choose one and stick with it. You can't burp and make crude jokes in front of me and then expect me to hand over the car keys when it starts to snow (cause we all know girls can't drive in the snow). Choose one! They just pick which ever one is the most convenient for them at that time. Oh knock it off. 

And you know what? Guys talk, guys talk a lot! Seriously, I make 6 hour car rides with these guys and I will end up saying very little... for a few reasons: (1) I am a good listener. I actually listen when people talk, I ask questions if I want to know more, and I react to what they are saying. (2) I know when people aren't listening to me. Its hard to talk to guys when they have all been trained NOT TO LISTEN!

Its funny because we will get out of the car and the guy will be like "Oh, sorry, I just talked your ear off". Yea, yea you did. And you know what? I'm okay with that; HOWEVER, I would like someone to listen to me every once in a while. They only listen when its convenient for them... are you seeing the theme here?

And you know what else? Yesterday I was told that I talk really loud. I know that. You want to know why I talk loud? CAUSE NO ONE LISTENS TO ME! Today one of the guys said that if I ever got tetanus it would be great if I got lockjaw because it would benefit them all. 

Maybe, if people would listen to me I wouldn't have to talk so loud or be constantly repeating myself. How hard of a concept is that to understand?

Wow, this really was a bitter rambling... Sorry if it didn't make any sense... 

"I'm a woman and I demand respect!"