Friday Faves: GET OFF MY BLOG

Warning: My post today has nothing to do with favorites at all, but I am still having the link-up below for those of you that actually have something nice to say today. 

I'm normally pretty even keel when it comes to what I write on my blog. I don't like to ruffle feathers and I don't like to voice my opinion about controversial topics because I am not in the business of stirring up drama. Not today. You've been warned.

I am fully aware that I should be mature, rise above and not even address the haters, but unfortunately, I just don't have it in me. I slept on it and I'm still pissed, so yep, I'm going there.

I was sent a link to a mean forum called Get Off My Internets where people throw some major hate at bloggers to the point of viciousness. I think the site is disgusting and it is nothing short of cyber bullying.

Today's post is dedicated to the cowards hiding behind the fake names who were moaning that my blog was uninspiring and had poor picture quality. Guess what?

IF YOU DON'T LIKE MY BLOG, THEN GET OFF OF IT.

I have never understood this.  If I don't like your blog, then I DON'T READ IT. And if I feel like complaining about something obnoxious that I think you are doing via one of your social media channels, then I will complain to a friend. I won't go on an Internet forum and hide behind a fake little avatar and spew evil.  I have real friends that I can converse with in real life. Complex concept, I know.

There are a few other things on the forum that were said that I'd like to clear up. One of them accused me of photoshopping the picture I blogged of me with Bela Karolyi.  Yes, that's what I do in my copious amount of free time. I make up elaborate stories about how I met Bela Karolyi and even go so far as to Photoshop a picture of myself with him.

3 people, 6 hands accounted for.

And another one of the commenter complained that I drug out my "big reveal" of where I was moving as if anyone cared.  Guess what sweetie, I can drag out whatever I want for however long as I want.  You obviously cared enough to keep coming back to check every day.  Thanks for the page hits!  You're just making me money, honey.

Bottom line here is this. It's MY blog and I write what I want. I use iPhone pictures because I don't have 2K to drop on a fancy DSLR camera that's "hip" in the blogging world.  This is not a photography blog and I'm not trying to inspire anyone. I write about my life and I share things that I think other's may like as well. It's my creative outlet and you are by all means entitled to hate it.  There are plenty of blogs I hate and therefore, I move along, which is what I sincerely hope you decide to do.

I won't be addressing any kind of negativity like this again.  I just hope these trolls do me one favor and GET OFF MY BLOG because sorry, I'm not getting off your "Internets" anytime soon.  Air kiss.

Now, wasn't that all rainbows and unicorns? I really am sorry to be so negative, but I'm going to defend myself.  And if I haven't already scared you away, please link-up below for Friday Favorites.

VIDEO: Savannah, GA and Hilton Head, SC pictures

A little delayed, but below are all the pictures I took during my vacation with my Mom in Savannah and Hilton Head.  Turn on your speakers and enjoy the slide show!

My 8 Road Trip Essentials

In T-Minus seven days, I embark on the 20 hour drive from Dallas to Las Vegas. Yes, 20 hour drive. When I graduated college, I drove 24 hours from Lubbock, Texas to Raleigh, North Carolina so this ain't my first rodeo.  And when I moved to Dallas a few months later, I drove the 19 hours from Raleigh to Dallas. Me and my ass are not really looking forward to being in a car that long, but I am kind of excited about having that time to clear my mind and just think by myself. 

I started thinking yesterday about what I needed for the trip, so naturally, I made a blog post out of it. Here are my eight road trip essentials:

And my essentials explained:

I leave you with two questions:

1. Did I leave anything crucial off my list?

And more importantly,

2. What songs should I put on my playlist? ♪♪

Packing, movies and my "modeling" days

I literally only left my house this weekend three times: once for packing supplies, once for Starbucks and once for Buffalo Wild Wings. Throughout the course of packing, I watched a lot of movies: American Reunion, Hangover 2, Bridesmaids, Crazy Stupid Love, What's Your Number and The Change Up.

Thank you HBO for  making packing a little more bearable. I liked all of the movies, but Crazy Stupid Love was definitely my favorite of the bunch. Hello shirtless Ryan Gosling. Can anyone explain to me why Ryan Gosling and Ryan Reynolds were not cast in Magic Mike? I'd like to speak with the casting director about this.

Bear wants to come with me.  Bear is technically my nephew's dog, so he will be staying in Texas.
Who wants to help me puppy shop in Las Vegas? 

Taking a break during Crazy Stupid Love

I wish I had more exciting weekend shenanigans to share with you, but I don't. I'm done packing my living room and kitchen. Hallelu-jer! However the the garage and my bedroom (i.e. closet) are going to be the hardest to pack and that is what I shall tackle this week. I should have taken a picture of my garage so you can see its hoarders status. I'm seriously petrified of a rat scurrying out from behind something. Lord help my heart if that happens.

My BFF Liz came over Friday night to help me pack, but we ended up ordering pizza, watching movies and digging through old middle school and high school pictures. It wouldn't be right if I didn't share these two gems with you, so you are welcome.

work it

Rocking my Tommy Hilfiger tankini 

I know. I don't have words either.

Kristina (the BFF in Vegas), Liz and I met in middle school and have been BFFs since. One of our favorite pastimes was to have "modeling shoots" at the neighborhood pool and/or our bedrooms (paging Chris Hansen) with our trusty disposable cameras. I can't make this shit up. Oh, to be 13 again.

Linking up with the Sami, Dana and Leeann! 

Friday Faves: MY BIG MOVE REVEAL!

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I'm moving to ...

You read it here first. This blonde is heading out west. 

Are you shocked?  Because I'd be lying if I said I wasn't still a little shocked myself.  It all happened very fast, but I kind of prefer it that way because it makes my life all the more exciting.  

In exactly 14 days, I will be Las Vegas' newest resident.  Coincidence that Vegas is my favorite city? I think not.  I truly believe everything happens for a reason and I cannot wait for this next chapter of my life to begin.  

I find it very ironic that almost exactly a year ago I blogged about how much I love Vegas and now I'm moving to Vegas. 

Are a million questions running through your head? I figured as much. You see, what happened was ...

One of my best friends lives in Las Vegas. Her name is Kristina and I blogged about her Vegas Bachelorette Party and Vegas Wedding if you need a refresher. 

Well, a few weeks ago she saw a job ad for an Internal Communications Manager at the best (IMHO) hotel on The Strip and she sent me the link to the ad. I checked it out and applied immediately because the job description was right up my alley and working for the company would literally be a dream.  I didn't really expect them to contact me since I lived in Dallas, but a day later I got a call from the hotel asking to set up an interview with me.  Say whaaaaat?  

I had a brief phone interview with HR to basically explain my resume.  A week later, I sent writing and design samples over, and a week after that, I had a Skype interview scheduled with the internal communications team. The Skype interview took place last Thursday when I was on vacation in Savannah and I was offered the position later that night. Obviously, I accepted!  

I still cannot believe this is my life.  I wake up every day and think to myself, "Am I reallllllyyyyy moving to Las Vegas? Did I really land a dream job?"  I am and I did.  It didn't really hit me until I got back to Texas Sunday night and I realized how much my life was about to change.  I am leaving my job, my friends, my precious nephew and everything that has been familiar to me for the past six years since graduating college.  

It is a very bittersweet feeling.  Overwhelmingly sweet, but the hardest part will be leaving my nephew.  He is  the light of my life and the thought of missing anything big or small breaks my heart.  I literally cry every time I think about it.  The logical me knows it will be OK.  We can FaceTime and I can visit as often as I like.  What's important is that I live my life with no regrets and do what is best for me and my career.

Even though it will be a tough transition, this move feels so right and could not have come at a better time.  The lease on my townhouse that I share with my brother is up in October, which gives me about a month in Vegas to figure out where I want to live. Picking a place to live is definitely not something I want to be rushed into. Until I get my Vegas abode, I will be living with Kristina and her hubs (hey new roomies!) so I don't have to pay dual rent.  Everything just seems to be falling into place.  I could not feel more blessed and fortunate.  

Needless to say, this news is definitely my favorite thing from this past week. Can you even believe I am moving to LAS VEGAS and this street is where I will be rolling into work every morning?  Someone pinch me.

No one even guessed Vegas.  Well, except for one person who joked (I hope) that I was moving to Vegas to become a hooker.  You got the Vegas part right, but I am certainly not pulling a Pretty Woman on you ladies.  Not yet anyway.  

Enough about me. What are your favorites?  Link-up below.