PINTEREST VS. POLYVORE

 

PINTEREST VS. POLYVORE

So…I love (loved?...It's complicated.)... Pinterest. I’m just going to put that out there. 

 http://pinterest.com/reginagail/

Tonight, I plopped on the couch to log my regular 2-3 hours daily pinterest time when stumbled upon something magnificent that threatened my long-term Pinterest relationship…

It’s called Polyvore. Sure, both of my beloved websites/hobbies (I prefer "recreational activities") may sound similar…but the differences have left me feeling confused and scared- much like a post-breakup emotional breakdown. 

I’m in love. It’s true, Pinterest. Polyvore gives me so much more freedom! You have gotten predictable and our routine is now monotonous. 

I’m tired of the same old habits you constantly exhibit to repin my already pinned pins. You make me look like a fool and never offer a respectable apology for your behavior. 

You’ve changed, Pinterest. Much like my ex-lover, Facebook, you’ve given into peer pressure. You’ve added inconvenient and strategically placed delays for your own selfish pleasure.

Yes, it’s true…Polyvore and I just met tonight. We only spent a brief time together, but I felt appreciated. I got to make my own decisions. I was not interrupted with your predictable mistress, Error 504.  Polyvore appreciates me. I think we need to take a break, Pinterest…I just need time to think.

http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=50017436 

Somewhere Over The Rainbow

Somewhere Over The Rainbow

I would have LOVED to use a different camera to capture yesterday’s monstrously huge rainbow. A storm hit Nashville that concluded with gorgeous skies and rainbows that broke records. By records, I mean my own personal record of lifetime rainbow sightings that leave me awestruck. Unprepared for a such a glorious sight, I hurriedly snatched my husband’s phone and ran out of the house, in hopes that the parting clouds would reveal a rainbow. Barefoot and wearing a too-short sundress, I stood in our driveway and snapped away. Forgetting that my attire is only worn indoors for a reason, I squatted and bended to create different angles of everything I saw. (Luckily, no neighbors were in sight for a free show of my granny panties.) I wish my phone had been charged for these shots. I wish I could find the power cord to charge my indestructible Stylus Camera. I wish I had my mom’s incredible camera to zoom and edit effects. I had no time for regrets in camera selection yesterday, for rainbows are flighty. Much like Dorothy, they blow away with the wind, in mere seconds. So I decided to “let troubles melt like lemon drops” and take some pictures of somewhere, over the rainbow...

I’m convinced that heaven is located directly above this particular tree, in case you’ve been wondering.

The tin man wanted a heart,

The lion wanted courage,

The scarecrow wanted a brain,

And I wanted (still want) a better camera!

This makes me think of a secret garden. The light of yesterday’s sunset cast a mysteriously captivating glow on our backyard.

I was reminded of the cross when I noticed that the center of the enormous rainbow hovered directly above this streetlamp. Though my religious views have evolved over the course of my adult years and I often question organized religion, I still felt surrounded with spiritual blessings yesterday.

Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high,
There's a land that I heard of
Once in a lullaby.

Somewhere over the rainbow
Skies are blue,
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true.

Someday I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far
Behind me.
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
Away above the chimney tops
That's where you'll find me.

Somewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly.
Birds fly over the rainbow.
Why then, oh why can't I?

If happy little bluebirds fly
Beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why can't I?

Backyard Sittin'

 

BACKYARD SITTIN’

We all have a way to cope with the day-to-day stresses of life. When I am surrounded by nature, I am soothed. Sitting in my parents’ backyard, I took a deep breath of newly opened floral blossoms of Summer. I felt my stressed, tense muscles relax as I breathed in this sweet aroma. For me, backyard sittin’ solves stupid stress. (Say 3 times fast!) Only when I am backyard sittin’ do I realize what things in life really matter. Enjoy!

“It is good to be alone in a garden at dawn or dark so that all its shy presences may haunt you and possess you in a reverie of suspended thought.”  ~James Douglas, Down Shoe Lane

Flowers... are a proud assertion that a ray of beauty out-values all the utilities of the world.  ~Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1844

Roses are red, Violets are blue…

Roses are red, Violets are blue…

 Backyard sittin’s the key, to confirm that is true!

Los Tres Amigos

Tuesdays are gloriously concluded with a weekly trip to Los Tres Amigos, where my craving for Mexican food is satisfied. Always a bargain hunter, I have yet to find a budget friendly restaurant whose prices and food are as good as this scrumptious spot. Chips and salsa are devoured as we sit outside on the patio, debating our menu selections and drink specials. For me, margaritas are either too sweet or too strong. For the boys, they’re just right. I wash my  toasted, crispy chips down with an ice cold cervesa.

We don’t frequent this place for the décor or atmosphere. We go here to chill out after a long day’s work. If you want fancy over friendly and fun, that works for us- There’ll be more empty seats outside for our soon-to-arrive amigos. Painted in turquoise and orange, Los Tres is easy to find. Some may say the décor is a bit tacky- We don’t care. I’ll take tacky if it comes with mouth-watering Mexican food!

To tone down the tacky for you fancy schmancies out there, I re-present to you an edited exterior photo. Somehow, I think it adds class.

The usual entrees for our little posse. We keep it simple with our menu choices, for the most part. Service is exceptional and staff are always friendly. Drinks and chip baskets stay full throughout our stay. As former restaurant workers, we find that our critical expectations of service are met…and exceeded at Los Tres.

With 4 and 5 star ratings, Los Tres’ somewhat outdated façade does not keep customers from stopping in to try the food they’ve heard so much about. I commend their business strategy of offering drink and food specials every Tuesday of the week. Domestic draft beer and chilled margaritas are priced lower than any place in town. I can’t cook dinner at home for the price of an experience at one of my favorite restaurants- Nor can I otherwise sip cervesa without breaking the bank!

Your beer is not rationed by a bartender who tops of glasses with 5 inches of foam, leaving you irritated as you wait for it to dissipate in order to taste actual brew. Each glass served here is ready for immediate consumption- if you choose to chug. I prefer to sip mine cautiously, as it is normally a Tuesday when I visit. (Chugging is probably more acceptable on weekends, right?) I’m a responsible adult now and can no longer down beers without paying a terrible price on Wednesday. Still, at prices so low- Uno Mas Cervesa, por favor! How does one say, "designated driver" in Spanish? We always have one, just in case someone in our group is enticed by the cheap cost of consumption here.

Even the ashtrays here are bright orange. I wonder if this was a deliberate matching-décor purchasing decision made by management, or rather a delightfully tasteless coincidence. At least smokers can easily spot these trays, instead of littering poisonous remains of cancer-causing substances all over the patio. I must admit, I am currently one of those smoking menaces of society. Therefore, I appreciate the thoughtful server who brings me a personal little neon ashtray as soon as I arrive. If you don’t smoke, good for you. That’s fantastic. However, do not permit your better-than-smokers attitude to give way to how you treat the lesser likes of us. Dirty looks are occasionally cast our way, by other patio patrons, when I light up a ciggy. If you detest it that much, go inside. There’s a huge non-smoking section that is the entire interior of Los Tres.  

Josh and Micah exchange looks that can only be explained by a mysterious non-verbal communication connection between twin brothers. It can be freaky for someone who isn’t accustomed to spending an absorbent amount of time with these genetically mutated Hodges. I’ve spent enough time with both of them to interpret most glances produced. This one, for example, suggests disbelief or challenging disagreement. I’m not sure what Micah said to become the recipient of this expression, but my twin-analysis of communication tells me I’m right.

Meet my husband’s twin brother, Micah. I don’t know if they’re identical. No, I haven’t ever mistaken one for the other. Yes, they have a very close relationship. No, their personalities are not exactly alike. No, they have never traded places with each other in relationship/dating scenerios…..You’d be amazed at the twin-related questions I’ve had to answer over the course of my marriage. I have a little spiel that takes about 7 seconds-flat to answer those who are fascinated by Micah and Joshua’s twin-ness. They both love Mexican food and we all love Los Tres Amigos. This shared similarity is not currently considered to be a part of genetic similarities. (note to self: research food preference similarity of twins)

If you’re in Nashville, Tennessee on a Tuesday (or any day, for that matter), stop by and sit with us to enjoy good food and good times. We sat for hours as the sun went down over the city. By for hours, it was literally four hours. Micah’s girlfriend, Makaili, didn’t get out of work until late. I think we may have used that as an excuse to prolong a good time. Always prepared for fun, she arrived with our favorite social game in-hand. We played “Apples to Apples” out on the patio and made ourselves at home at Los Tres. We always do!

Los Tres Amigos

2606 Lebanon Pike, Nashville, TN

(615) 316-0104